Sam Fender contributes twenty-five thousand pounds Mercury Prize to small concert halls
Sam Fender has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound honor cash to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the Britain's grassroots concert spaces.
He was given the cheque on October 16 as his new release People Watching was chosen as the outstanding release of the past year.
The musician has chosen to give the cash to the MVT, in recognition of the vital role grassroots venues had in his early career.
"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it weren't for all the shows I did around the region, and elsewhere, when I was just getting going," said the artist. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.
Recently, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the trust in its efforts to keep the scene afloat, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which supports local stages.
He also participated, generating over £100k on his recent tour to support 38 grassroots venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The donation assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, blazes and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.
Additional spaces received funding support in modernizing facilities and sound and lighting systems that directly benefitted performers and fans.
"The concept that revenue from performances in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has stated.
Fender is among several artists to donate his Mercury Prize prize money to worthy causes.
In the band won the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, lead singer the singer stated that the band would give their prize money to the organization the charity.
During 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her bounty among a few good causes, like the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.
"Additionally, I contributed a thousand pounds to my local community centre, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," the artist explained to a publication.
Two years ago, they contributed their prize money to the local youth club that supported their group, as well as other independent music bodies.
Additionally the 1994 recipients they contributed their award to a multiple sclerosis charity after a acquaintance was found to have the condition.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated vocalist Small. "The cash was the cherry on top but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our winning touched the lives of others."
Last week, the trust revealed it had rescued two grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The first in the city and the other in the city were bought under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by a national body and supporters who buy "stakes" in the buildings.