Sam Fender gives £25,000 Mercury Prize to grassroots live spaces
The artist has donated the entirety of his £25k award prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to save the UK's grassroots concert spaces.
The star was awarded the award on 16 October as his latest record the album was chosen as the best record of the past year.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role local spots played in his early career.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which supports local stages.
He also joined in, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist 38 grassroots venues across Britain.
These funds assisted spaces that were dealing with possible closure due to issues arising from flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.
Additional spaces were granted funding support in upgrading facilities and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and audiences.
"The idea that funds from shows in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has stated.
He is among several artists to contribute his honor funds to charitable organizations.
Back when they won the trophy in the year 1996 for their album their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker stated that the band would donate their prize money to the charity War Child.
In 2002, musician she divided her bounty among multiple charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"I also contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," she shared with a publication.
Two years ago, they donated their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.
Additionally 1994 winners the group gave their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the disease.
"Winning was quite enough," remarked vocalist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."
In the past week, the MVT revealed it had protected several small stages in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The first in Southampton and the other in the city were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who buy "stakes" in the buildings.