Sam Fender contributes his £25k prize cash award to independent music venues

Sam Fender holding Mercury Prize in the North East
The musician won the honor last month in Newcastle

Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the trust for venues, which operates to save the Britain's independent music venues.

Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his latest record the album was chosen as the best record of the previous year.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role local spots played in his beginning days.

"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," stated the artist. "These venues are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – approximately 16% of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, top acts such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.

He also joined in, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to help thirty-eight grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds helped locations that were dealing with potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Some locations received financial assistance in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and fans.

"The idea that revenue from shows in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has said.

The band Pulp on stage
They are one example who contributed their honor winnings to charity

The musician is among several artists to give his award funds to worthy causes.

In Pulp won the trophy in the mid-90s for their album Different Class, frontman Cocker declared that the band would give their cash to the charity War Child.

In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her prize between multiple charities, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also contributed a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she explained to the media.

In recent years, they donated their funds to the community center that nurtured their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally winners that year M People contributed their prize to a charity for MS after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.

"The victory was sufficient," stated artist Heather Small. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success impacted another person's life."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had protected several grassroots venues in south-east England, by transferring them to local control.

The first in that area and the other in that location were bought under the public acquisition program, which is supported by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "shares" in the venues.

Larry Hernandez
Larry Hernandez

A professional poker player and strategist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in tournament play and poker theory.

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