Sam Fender donates twenty-five thousand pounds cash award to independent live spaces

The artist accepting Mercury Prize in his hometown
Sam Fender won the honor in October in his hometown

The star has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.

He was awarded the prize on October 16 as his third album the album was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

The musician has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues played in his beginning days.

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, top acts including the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his live tour to help numerous small stages across Britain.

The money helped locations that were confronting imminent closure due to issues caused by flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.

"The notion that revenue from concerts in large arenas backs the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has said.

Pulp members performing
They are among the artists who donated their award winnings to non-profits

Fender is not the first artist to contribute his award prize money to good deeds.

In the band won the trophy in 1996 for their record Different Class, frontman Cocker announced that the act would donate their winnings to the organization War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer she divided her award across several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to the center, to their classes, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

Previously, they donated their funds to the community center that supported their group, alongside other local music groups.

Additionally the 1994 recipients M People donated their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was found to have the illness.

"Winning was quite enough," stated vocalist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory affected another person's life."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under local control.

The first in that area and the second in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the buildings.

Grant Villanueva
Grant Villanueva

A financial strategist and life coach dedicated to empowering others through actionable advice and inspiring stories.