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The artist contributes twenty-five thousand pounds award winnings to small live spaces

The singer accepting the award in his hometown
Sam Fender was awarded the prestigious award recently in the North East

The star has handed over the full amount of his £25k award cash to the MVT, which works to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.

Fender was presented with the prize on 16 October as his third album People Watching was chosen as the best record of the previous year.

Fender has chosen to donate the funds to the trust, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues had in his initial steps.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the shows I played around the area, and further afield, when I was beginning," said Fender. "These venues are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, top acts such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Fender also joined in, generating in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support numerous small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money supported spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges arising from water damage, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations received financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and gear that helped musicians and concertgoers.

"The notion that funds from concerts in big venues backs the independent spots, where it kicks off for artists like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.

Pulp members on stage
They are one example who donated their Mercury Prize prize money to non-profits

Fender is among several artists to contribute his honor winnings to good deeds.

In the band earned the award in the year 1996 for their album their work, lead singer Cocker declared that the band would donate their cash to the organization War Child.

In 2002, artist she split her bounty between a few charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they required new equipment," she told outlets.

Two years ago, the band gave their winnings to the community center that supported their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they gave their winnings to a MS organization after a friend was found to have the disease.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," said vocalist Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success touched the lives of others."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved a couple of local spots in that region, by placing them under local control.

The Joiners in Southampton and the second in that location were purchased under the community ownership program, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the properties.

About the author

Dorothy Bishop

A seasoned journalist and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience covering UK current affairs and digital trends.

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