Skip to content
Lucky Journal

Sam Fender contributes twenty-five thousand pounds award winnings to independent music venues

The singer holding Mercury Prize in Newcastle
Sam Fender received the Mercury Prize in October in the North East

The star has given the entirety of his £25,000 honor winnings to the trust for venues, which operates to protect the Britain's independent concert spaces.

He was awarded the award on October 16 as his third album the album was named the top album of the last 12 months.

The musician has opted to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role small stages played in his early career.

"I personally would not have achieved what I am doing today if it weren't for all the performances I did around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are struggling."

From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these locations have ceased operations – roughly 16 percent of the total UK scene.

In the last year, top acts including Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by applying a modest fee to their ticket prices, which goes to help independent venues.

He also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his recent tour to help 38 local spots across Britain.

The donation supported spaces that were confronting imminent closure due to challenges arising from floods, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and neighbor objections.

Some locations received financial assistance in modernizing facilities and gear that positively impacted performers and fans.

"The idea that funds from shows in big venues backs the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just sensible," Fender has said.

Pulp members on stage
Pulp are one example who gave their award winnings to good causes

The musician is not the first artist to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.

When they received the trophy in the year 1996 for their record Different Class, lead singer the singer stated that the band would donate their winnings to the non-profit the charity.

In 2002, rapper and singer the artist divided her prize across several good causes, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I donated a grand to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed new equipment," Ms Dynamite told the media.

Previously, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the community center that nurtured their act, alongside other local music groups.

And winners that year M People donated their winnings to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the disease.

"The victory was sufficient," remarked vocalist the singer. "The prize was the bonus but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the honor. So our victory touched the lives of others."

In the past week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued a couple of local spots in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.

The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol were bought under the public acquisition initiative, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who purchase "shares" in the buildings.

About the author

Jason Soto

A writer and life coach passionate about storytelling and personal development, sharing insights from her journey across Europe.

Lucky Journal

Type to search articles.