The musician donates his £25k prize cash award to small concert halls

The artist has donated the complete sum of his £25k Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the Britain's small concert spaces.

He was awarded the cheque on mid-October as his new release People Watching was declared the best record of the past year.

He has decided to give the cash to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function grassroots venues fulfilled in his initial steps.

"I personally would not have achieved my current career if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the region, and further afield, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – about 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

Over the past year, well-known musicians like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support thirty-eight grassroots venues across the UK.

These funds assisted locations that were facing possible closure due to issues caused by flooding, fire incidents and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces received monetary aid in modernizing amenities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and fans.

"The idea that funds from concerts in large arenas helps the independent spots, where it begins for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has commented.

Fender is not the first artist to donate his honor winnings to good deeds.

In Pulp received the award in 1996 for their record their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the band would give their winnings to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her award across multiple organizations, including the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I contributed a £1,000 to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with a publication.

Two years ago, the band donated their funds to the local youth club that developed their band, alongside other local music groups.

Also 1994 winners M People contributed their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the illness.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated singer the singer. "The cash was the extra but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the cake. So our winning touched the lives of others."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved a couple of small stages in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.

The Joiners in that area and The Croft in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by a national body and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the venues.