🔗 Share this article

The artist has given the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the UK's independent music venues.

Fender was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his new release his work was chosen as the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

Fender has decided to hand the money over to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the vital role local spots had in his initial steps.

"I would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the North East, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, top acts like Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, generating more than £100,000 on his live tour to help numerous grassroots venues across Britain.

These funds helped venues that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties arising from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and noise complaints.

Some locations obtained funding support in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and fans.

"The idea that revenue from shows in big venues backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has said.

He is not the first artist to contribute his award prize money to worthy causes.

Back when the band received the trophy in the mid-90s for their record their work, vocalist the singer announced that the act would give their cash to the organization the charity.

During 2002, artist the artist split her bounty among several good causes, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to the center, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.

Previously, they donated their winnings to the local youth club that developed their act, in addition to other local music groups.

Also winners that year they contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was identified with the condition.

"The victory was quite enough," remarked vocalist Heather Small. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our winning affected another person's life."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust shared it had saved two grassroots venues in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.

One venue in that area and The Croft in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "shares" in the venues.