The artist donates his £25k prize award winnings to grassroots concert halls

The artist receiving Mercury Prize in Newcastle
He received the honor last month in his hometown

The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25k honor winnings to the MVT, which operates to save the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.

The star was awarded the prize on mid-October as his latest record his work was declared the outstanding release of the past year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the essential function local spots had in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I did around the area, and further afield, when I was starting out," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.

Recently, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by including a modest fee to their admission fees, which supports independent venues.

Fender also took part, raising over £100k on his recent tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.

The donation assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to issues caused by water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.

Some locations received financial assistance in improving facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and fans.

"The concept that money from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has stated.

Pulp members in concert
Pulp are among the artists who gave their Mercury Prize funds to non-profits

The musician is among several artists to donate his award prize money to charitable organizations.

Back when Pulp won the trophy in 1996 for their release their work, frontman the singer declared that the band would contribute their winnings to the charity War Child.

During 2002, artist she divided her prize between multiple good causes, such as the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite told a publication.

In recent years, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the community center that supported their act, as well as other local music groups.

And 1994 winners M People donated their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was found to have the condition.

"Receiving the award was ample," stated vocalist Small. "The money was the bonus but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success touched somebody else's life."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had rescued two local spots in that region, by transferring them to community ownership.

One venue in that area and the second in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by a national body and music fans who buy "ownership units" in the buildings.

Hannah Jimenez
Hannah Jimenez

A passionate traveler and writer sharing personal stories and expert tips on Canadian adventures and daily life.