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Sam Fender donates his £25k prize cash award to independent live spaces

Sam Fender accepting the award in his hometown
The musician received the Mercury Prize in October in Newcastle

The star has donated the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the UK's small live music spots.

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

Fender has opted to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages had in his initial steps.

"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the area, and further afield, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – roughly 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, well-known musicians like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their admission fees, which benefits local stages.

He also participated, generating in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to assist numerous local spots across Britain.

These funds helped venues that were facing possible closure due to difficulties caused by water damage, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Some locations were granted financial assistance in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that directly benefitted artists and audiences.

"The notion that revenue from performances in large arenas backs the independent spots, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has commented.

Pulp members performing
The group are among the artists who donated their award winnings to charity

Fender is far from the only musician to contribute his award winnings to good deeds.

Back when the band won the prize in the year 1996 for their release the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their cash to the charity the charity.

That year, musician the artist divided her bounty between a few organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also donated a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.

Two years ago, the band gave their prize money to the community center that developed their act, in addition to other local music groups.

Additionally 1994 winners the group gave their winnings to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the disease.

"Winning was quite enough," stated singer the singer. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched somebody else's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had protected two small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into community ownership.

The Joiners in the city and the second in the city were bought under the community ownership initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the properties.

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Barry Walsh

A tech enthusiast and creative writer passionate about exploring digital trends and sharing actionable insights.

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