The artist donates £25,000 Mercury Prize to small live spaces

The artist accepting the award in Newcastle
He received the prestigious award last month in his hometown

Sam Fender has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the MVT, which operates to protect the UK's independent live music spots.

Fender was given the cheque on 16 October as his latest record his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the previous year.

The musician has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part local spots played in his initial steps.

"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists such as the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.

He also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted locations that were confronting imminent closure due to challenges caused by floods, blazes and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Other venues obtained financial assistance in improving amenities and gear that helped musicians and concertgoers.

"The idea that money from concerts in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.

Pulp on stage
The group are among the artists who gave their award prize money to non-profits

He is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

In Pulp received the trophy in 1996 for their release the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the act would give their prize money to the charity the charity.

That year, rapper and singer the artist shared her bounty among several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked better apparatus," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the youth organization that developed their band, as well as other independent music bodies.

Also winners that year they gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the condition.

"The victory was ample," stated artist Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted somebody else's life."

Recently, the trust shared it had protected several grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into local control.

The Joiners in the city and The Croft in that location were purchased under the public acquisition program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.

Sarah Cole
Sarah Cole

A tech journalist and gaming hardware specialist with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing cutting-edge gaming systems.