Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to protect the UK's grassroots live music spots.
The star was given the cheque on 16 October as his third album his work was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the essential function grassroots venues played in his early career.
"I would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are struggling."
Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.
In the last year, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.
Sam Fender also joined in, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight small stages across the UK.
The money helped spaces that were facing possible closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as permit problems, legal disputes and neighbor objections.
Some locations obtained funding support in improving infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The notion that money from concerts in large arenas supports the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has stated.
The musician is not the first artist to donate his award prize money to charitable organizations.
In they won the trophy in 1996 for their album Different Class, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the band would contribute their cash to the organization War Child.
During 2002, artist the artist divided her prize between multiple organizations, including the children's charity and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I gave a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," she told the media.
Two years ago, the band donated their winnings to the youth organization that developed their band, as well as other local music groups.
Also 1994 winners the group gave their winnings to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the condition.
"The victory was quite enough," stated artist the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success touched another person's life."
Recently, the MVT shared it had rescued two local spots in the South East, by bringing them into local control.
The first in that area and the other in Bristol were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is supported by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "stakes" in the properties.
