The musician donates £25,000 Mercury Prize to small concert halls

The artist holding Mercury Prize in his hometown
He won the Mercury Prize recently in his hometown

The star has donated the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which functions to protect the Britain's small live music spots.

The star was presented with the prize on mid-October as his third album his work was named the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

Fender has decided to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues played in his initial steps.

"I couldn't be pursuing my current career if it weren't for all the shows I performed around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, more than 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – about 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, well-known musicians including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to help venues survive, by adding a small levy to their ticket costs, which goes to help smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also joined in, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his recent tour to assist 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds helped venues that were facing imminent closure due to issues stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.

Some locations were granted monetary aid in improving amenities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted musicians and concertgoers.

"The notion that funds from performances in big venues helps the independent spots, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has said.

Pulp performing
The group are one example who gave their Mercury Prize prize money to non-profits

Fender is among several artists to donate his award winnings to charitable organizations.

Back when they earned the prize in the year 1996 for their record their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would contribute their prize money to the charity War Child.

In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her prize between several organizations, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they required new equipment," she told the media.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their winnings to the local youth club that supported their band, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally the 1994 recipients they contributed their award to a MS organization after a friend was found to have the disease.

"Winning was sufficient," remarked singer the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our winning affected another person's life."

Last week, the MVT revealed it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by bringing them into local control.

The first in that area and The Croft in the city were purchased under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and supporters who acquire "stakes" in the buildings.

Joshua Reed
Joshua Reed

A tech enthusiast and culture writer with a passion for exploring how innovation shapes modern life and storytelling.