🔗 Share this article

The star has handed over the complete sum of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.

He was awarded the prize on 16 October as his latest record People Watching was named the best record of the past year.

Fender has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the gigs I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Sam Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these spaces have permanently closed – approximately 16 percent of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, major artists such as the band Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a small levy to their ticket prices, which goes to help local stages.

Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money helped spaces that were facing potential shutdown due to challenges arising from flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and sound issues.

Some locations obtained monetary aid in modernizing infrastructure and gear that positively impacted artists and concertgoers.

"The notion that funds from concerts in major spaces backs the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just logical," the star has said.

Fender is not the first artist to give his honor winnings to worthy causes.

Back when they won the award in the year 1996 for their release their work, frontman the singer declared that the band would give their prize money to the charity War Child.

That year, artist she split her bounty across several organizations, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also donated a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I trained in gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked new equipment," the artist explained to a publication.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their funds to the local youth club that supported their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally 1994 winners the group gave their award to a charity for MS after a close contact was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was quite enough," stated vocalist Heather Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our success touched the lives of others."

Last week, the MVT revealed it had protected two grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.

The Joiners in the city and the other in that location were purchased under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is funded by the arts council and supporters who purchase "shares" in the venues.