Sam Fender gives twenty-five thousand pounds cash award to grassroots music venues

Sam Fender has given the entirety of his £25k award cash to the trust for venues, which functions to save the UK's independent concert spaces.

He was presented with the cheque on mid-October as his new release People Watching was declared the outstanding release of the past year.

The musician has chosen to hand the money over to the trust, in appreciation of the vital role local spots had in his early career.

"I personally wouldn't be doing this success if it hadn't been for all the gigs I did around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," remarked Sam Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.

Over the past year, major artists including Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by including a small levy to their ticket prices, which benefits independent venues.

Fender also joined in, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

The money helped locations that were confronting possible closure due to challenges arising from water damage, fire incidents and bereavements, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Other venues received monetary aid in upgrading facilities and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and fans.

"The idea that revenue from concerts in big venues backs the local stages, where it begins for artists like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has stated.

The musician is among several artists to donate his award winnings to good deeds.

Back when Pulp earned the prize in the mid-90s for their album their work, lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would donate their winnings to the charity War Child.

That year, musician Ms Dynamite divided her award among a few charities, including the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"And I contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

Previously, they contributed their funds to the local youth club that supported their band, in addition to other local music groups.

Also 1994 winners the group donated their prize to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the condition.

"Winning was quite enough," remarked vocalist the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't require the bonus, because we had the honor. So our winning affected another person's life."

Recently, the MVT revealed it had protected several small stages in south-east England, by bringing them into local control.

The first in Southampton and the second in Bristol were purchased under the public acquisition scheme, which is supported by the arts council and music fans who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.