🔗 Share this article

The star has given the complete sum of his £25k honor winnings to the trust for venues, which functions to save the UK's small live music spots.

Fender was presented with the award on 16 October as his new release his work was chosen as the top album of the past year.

He has decided to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role grassroots venues fulfilled in his early career.

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are struggling."

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

Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also participated, collecting over £100k on his live tour to support 38 small stages across Britain.

These funds assisted spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to issues caused by floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Other venues were granted monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that helped performers and fans.

"The notion that funds from shows in major spaces supports the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has commented.

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

Back when they won the award in the mid-90s for their record Different Class, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would contribute their cash to the charity War Child.

In 2002, musician she divided her prize across multiple charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist explained to a publication.

Two years ago, they donated their winnings to the local youth club that developed their band, in addition to other independent music bodies.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they donated their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," remarked singer Small. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our success touched the lives of others."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved several local spots in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.

The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were purchased under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by the arts council and supporters who purchase "shares" in the buildings.