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The artist contributes his £25k prize Mercury Prize to grassroots live spaces

The singer holding his trophy in Newcastle
He won the Mercury Prize in October in the North East

The star has donated the full amount of his £25k honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.

Fender was given the cheque on October 16 as his third album his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

Fender has decided to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role grassroots venues played in his initial steps.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about one-sixth of the entire UK sector.

Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to help venues survive, by applying a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to assist numerous grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds assisted spaces that were confronting possible closure due to challenges arising from floods, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

Other venues received monetary aid in improving amenities and technical equipment that helped musicians and concertgoers.

"The concept that money from performances in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," the star has said.

The band Pulp on stage
Pulp are one example who contributed their award prize money to charity

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

When they received the trophy in 1996 for their record their work, lead singer the singer announced that the band would donate their winnings to the organization War Child.

In 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite shared her bounty among a few organizations, like the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.

Two years ago, they donated their prize money to the local youth club that developed their band, alongside other grassroots music organisations.

And 1994 winners the group donated their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.

"The victory was sufficient," said artist Small. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success touched somebody else's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected two small stages in the South East, by transferring them to local control.

The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by the arts council and music fans who buy "shares" in the properties.

Written by

Ashley White

A seasoned outdoor guide with over a decade of experience exploring Canada's northern trails and documenting wilderness adventures.

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