The musician gives his £25k prize award winnings to grassroots music venues

The singer accepting his trophy in Newcastle
He won the honor in October in his hometown

The artist has given the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to save the Britain's grassroots live music spots.

The star was presented with the award on October 16 as his third album the album was named the outstanding release of the past year.

The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the crucial part local spots fulfilled in his early career.

"I personally wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have ceased operations – about 16% of the total UK scene.

Recently, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its attempts to support the industry, by including a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports independent venues.

He also joined in, raising over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money helped spaces that were facing imminent closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.

Other venues were granted funding support in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that directly benefitted performers and concertgoers.

"The idea that funds from performances in major spaces helps the local stages, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.

The band Pulp in concert
Pulp are one of the many acts who donated their honor prize money to charity

He is far from the only musician to give his honor prize money to worthy causes.

Back when the band earned the prize in the year 1996 for their release their work, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would donate their prize money to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, musician the artist shared her prize across a few charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I gave a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I trained in gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," the artist told outlets.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the community center that supported their act, as well as other independent music bodies.

Additionally winners that year they contributed their winnings to a MS organization after a acquaintance was diagnosed the illness.

"Receiving the award was ample," said vocalist the singer. "The cash was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."

Last week, the MVT revealed it had protected several grassroots venues in the South East, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The first in that area and the second in that location were acquired under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the venues.

James Fowler
James Fowler

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