The artist donates his £25k prize award winnings to grassroots concert halls

The artist receiving his trophy in Newcastle
Sam Fender received the prestigious award last month in the North East

The artist has handed over the full amount of his £25,000 honor cash to the trust for venues, which works to save the Britain's small music venues.

Fender was given the award on October 16 as his third album the album was chosen as the best record of the past year.

The musician has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in acknowledgment of the vital role local spots had in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it weren't for all the performances I performed around the area, and further afield, when I was just getting going," stated Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are facing challenges."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have shut down – about one-sixth of the total UK scene.

Recently, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to assist numerous local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money helped locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Other venues obtained financial assistance in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted artists and fans.

"The idea that revenue from performances in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it all starts for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has stated.

The band Pulp on stage
Pulp are one of the many acts who contributed their award winnings to charity

He is far from the only musician to contribute his honor funds to charitable organizations.

In Pulp received the award in 1996 for their release Different Class, frontman Cocker announced that the band would contribute their cash to the non-profit War Child.

In 2002, musician she shared her award across a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.

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

In recent years, they gave their winnings to the local youth club that supported their group, as well as other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally winners that year the group gave their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was identified with the condition.

"Winning was ample," stated artist the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't require the extra, because we had the cake. So our winning impacted the lives of others."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had saved two local spots in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.

One venue in the city and the second in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues initiative, which is backed by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "ownership units" in the venues.

Austin Morrison
Austin Morrison

A productivity coach and mindfulness advocate with over a decade of experience helping individuals optimize their routines and find balance.