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The artist donates his £25k prize cash award to grassroots concert halls

The artist receiving his trophy in Newcastle
He was awarded the Mercury Prize last month in his hometown

The star has donated the full amount of his £25k Mercury Prize prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to save the UK's independent concert spaces.

He was awarded the award on mid-October as his third album his work was chosen as the top album of the past year.

The musician has chosen to donate the funds to the MVT, in appreciation of the essential function local spots played in his initial steps.

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it wasn't for all the shows I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are struggling."

Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these locations have shut down – roughly 16 percent of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, top acts like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its initiatives to help venues survive, by including a modest fee to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.

Sam Fender also joined in, raising more than £100,000 on his live tour to assist numerous local spots across Britain.

The money supported venues that were facing imminent closure due to challenges caused by water damage, blazes and personal losses, as well as regulatory hurdles, legal disputes and neighbor objections.

Additional spaces obtained financial assistance in upgrading infrastructure and technical equipment that helped performers and audiences.

"The notion that revenue from performances in major spaces supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just logical," Fender has said.

Pulp in concert
The group are among the artists who contributed their honor winnings to charity

Fender is among several artists to give his award prize money to worthy causes.

In Pulp received the award in the mid-90s for their release their work, frontman Jarvis Cocker announced that the group would contribute their winnings to the charity the charity.

In 2002, musician she divided her bounty across multiple charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.

"And I donated a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.

Two years ago, the band contributed their winnings to the community center that developed their act, alongside other local music groups.

Also 1994 winners they gave their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the illness.

"Receiving the award was sufficient," said vocalist the singer. "The money was the extra but we could do without the cherry, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched another person's life."

In the past week, the MVT shared it had rescued several local spots in south-east England, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the second in the city were bought under the Own Our Venues program, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "shares" in the buildings.

Written by

Michele Wilson

Casino enthusiast and gaming strategist with 5+ years of experience in online slots.

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