Sam Fender gives his £25k prize cash award to grassroots music venues

The artist holding the award in his hometown
The musician was awarded the prestigious award last month in his hometown

Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the MVT, which works to save the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.

The star was awarded the prize on October 16 as his new release the album was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.

He has chosen to give the cash to the trust, in appreciation of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"As an artist couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the gigs I played around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Fender also took part, generating over £100k on his live tour to support numerous small stages across Britain.

The money helped locations that were facing imminent closure due to challenges caused by flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, conflicts and sound issues.

Other venues obtained funding support in upgrading amenities and gear that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The concept that revenue from concerts in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just logical," Sam Fender has said.

Pulp performing
Pulp are among the artists who contributed their honor winnings to good causes

Fender is not the first artist to donate his award prize money to good deeds.

Back when the band earned the award in 1996 for their record their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would give their cash to the charity the charity.

That year, artist she split her award between a few good causes, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also gave a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their classes, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed better apparatus," she shared with a publication.

Previously, they contributed their funds to the community center that nurtured their act, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Also the 1994 recipients the group contributed their prize to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the disease.

"The victory was ample," said vocalist Heather Small. "The money was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning impacted the lives of others."

In the past week, the MVT announced it had saved a couple of grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.

One venue in Southampton and the other in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition initiative, which is backed by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "shares" in the venues.

Jose Moran
Jose Moran

An automotive journalist with over a decade of experience covering Canadian car markets and consumer savings strategies.