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

The artist receiving his trophy in his hometown
He received the prestigious award recently in Newcastle

The artist has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award cash to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the UK's independent live music spots.

Fender was presented with the prize on mid-October as his latest record the album was named the best record of the previous year.

Fender has chosen to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the crucial part grassroots venues had in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," remarked the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.

Fender also joined in, collecting over £100k on his recent tour to support 38 small stages across Britain.

These funds helped locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Other venues received financial assistance in modernizing infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and fans.

"The concept that money from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.

Pulp members on stage
Pulp are one of the many acts who contributed their Mercury Prize prize money to good causes

The musician is among several artists to donate his honor winnings to good deeds.

When Pulp earned the award in the year 1996 for their release the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the group would donate their cash to the organization the charity.

That year, musician she shared her award among a few organizations, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also gave a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with outlets.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their funds to the community center that developed their band, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Also 1994 winners the group contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.

"The victory was quite enough," stated singer Heather Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we could do without the extra, because we had the honor. So our success affected the lives of others."

Recently, the MVT shared it had rescued two small stages in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.

The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in that location were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is funded by the arts council and supporters who buy "ownership units" in the venues.

Mary Novak
Mary Novak

A digital archivist and tech historian with over a decade of experience in preserving and analyzing digital artifacts.