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Thursday, October 8, 2026
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The artist donates £25,000 award winnings to small live spaces

The artist accepting the award in Newcastle
He received the prestigious award in October in the North East

The star has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the MVT, which works to save the UK's independent live music spots.

Fender was awarded the award on 16 October as his third album the album was named the top album of the past year.

Fender has chosen to give the cash to the Music Venues Trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots had in his early career.

"I couldn't be pursuing this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," said Fender. "These locations are legendary, but they are in difficulty."

Beginning in 2023, more than 150 of these venues have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.

In the last year, major artists such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the MVT in its initiatives to support the industry, by applying a minor surcharge to their ticket prices, which benefits local stages.

Sam Fender also participated, raising in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to support numerous local spots across Britain.

The money helped spaces that were confronting imminent closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fires and personal losses, as well as permit problems, court cases and noise complaints.

Some locations obtained funding support in modernizing facilities and technical equipment that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.

"The idea that funds from concerts in large arenas helps the local stages, where it kicks off for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has said.

Pulp members in concert
They are one of the many acts who donated their honor prize money to non-profits

Fender is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize funds to good deeds.

In Pulp received the prize in the year 1996 for their album the album, vocalist the singer declared that the group would give their prize money to the organization War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer she split her prize among several charities, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"And I gave a thousand pounds to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," the artist explained to the media.

Previously, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the local youth club that supported their group, alongside other independent music bodies.

And 1994 winners M People contributed their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was identified with the illness.

"Receiving the award was quite enough," stated vocalist Small. "The prize was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our victory impacted the lives of others."

Recently, the MVT shared it had saved two grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under community ownership.

The Joiners in Southampton and the other in Bristol were purchased under the community ownership scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and music fans who acquire "shares" in the buildings.

By

Tanya Kirk

Elara is a seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting strategies and market trends.

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