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Sam Fender donates his £25k prize cash award to small music venues

The artist receiving the award in the North East
The musician won the honor in October in Newcastle

The star has donated the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.

The star was awarded the award on 16 October as his new release his work was named the top album of the past year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages had in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated Sam Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – about 16% of the total UK scene.

Recently, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also took part, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money assisted spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to challenges caused by flooding, fires and family tragedies, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.

Additional spaces obtained funding support in upgrading facilities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and fans.

"The concept that funds from performances in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has commented.

Pulp members in concert
Pulp are one example who gave their award funds to good causes

The musician is not the first artist to contribute his honor winnings to charitable organizations.

In the band earned the prize in the year 1996 for their album Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the group would give their prize money to the non-profit the charity.

That year, musician Ms Dynamite shared her award among several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I gave a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," the artist told a publication.

In recent years, they gave their prize money to the youth organization that developed their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Also 1994 winners M People gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"Winning was sufficient," said vocalist Small. "The money was the extra but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success touched somebody else's life."

In the past week, the trust announced it had saved a couple of local spots in the South East, by transferring them to local control.

The first in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by Arts Council England and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the buildings.

The writer

Richard Clark

Elara is a passionate writer and tech enthusiast who loves sharing her experiences and insights on modern living and digital innovations.

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