Sam Fender donates his £25k prize award winnings to small concert halls

Sam Fender has given the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the MVT, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's independent live music spots.

He was presented with the award on 16 October as his latest record the album was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

He has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the crucial part small stages played in his initial steps.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the shows I did around the region, and elsewhere, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

Recently, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a modest fee to their admission fees, which goes to help independent venues.

He also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight small stages across Britain.

The money helped venues that were facing possible closure due to issues caused by floods, fires and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and sound issues.

Some locations obtained funding support in upgrading infrastructure and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.

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

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

When the band received the award in the mid-90s for their release Different Class, lead singer the singer stated that the band would give their winnings to the organization the charity.

In 2002, artist the artist divided her bounty among a few organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

In recent years, they gave their prize money to the local youth club that developed their band, as well as other independent music bodies.

And the 1994 recipients they donated their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the illness.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," stated singer Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory affected somebody else's life."

Last week, the trust shared it had protected two local spots in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.

One venue in Southampton and The Croft in that location were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.