Sam Fender gives £25,000 award winnings to independent live spaces

The star has handed over the complete sum of his £25,000 honor cash to the MVT, which functions to preserve the UK's grassroots concert spaces.

The star was awarded the award on mid-October as his new release his work was chosen as the top album of the previous year.

The musician has opted to hand the money over to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part local spots played in his initial steps.

"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the shows I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Fender. "These venues are renowned, but they are struggling."

Beginning in 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the total UK scene.

In the last year, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its initiatives to keep the scene afloat, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which supports independent venues.

Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The donation helped locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges caused by flooding, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.

Some locations received funding support in modernizing amenities and technical equipment that helped performers and fans.

"The notion that funds from shows in large arenas helps the local stages, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Fender has stated.

The musician is not the first artist to contribute his honor winnings to good deeds.

In Pulp received the trophy in the mid-90s for their record the album, lead singer Jarvis Cocker declared that the act would contribute their prize money to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, artist she divided her award among multiple organizations, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"I also gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they needed updated gear," the artist told a publication.

Two years ago, the band donated their winnings to the local youth club that nurtured their group, in addition to other independent music bodies.

And the 1994 recipients M People donated their award to a charity for MS after a friend was found to have the condition.

"Winning was quite enough," remarked singer Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't need the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory impacted somebody else's life."

Recently, the MVT shared it had protected two local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and The Croft in that location were purchased under the community ownership program, which is supported by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the buildings.