The artist gives his £25k prize Mercury Prize to independent concert halls
The artist has handed over the complete sum of his £25k honor winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the UK's small concert spaces.
He was given the cheque on mid-October as his new release his work was declared the outstanding release of the last 12 months.
He has opted to hand the money over to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the vital role small stages fulfilled in his beginning days.
"As an artist couldn't be pursuing my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I played around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," stated Sam Fender. "These spaces are renowned, but they are in difficulty."
Since the start of 2023, more than 150 of these venues have permanently closed – approximately 16% of the total UK scene.
In the last year, well-known musicians including Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all backed the Music Venues Trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by adding a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which goes to help independent venues.
He also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist numerous local spots across Britain.
These funds helped spaces that were dealing with potential shutdown due to difficulties caused by flooding, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, court cases and noise complaints.
Some locations received monetary aid in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that helped musicians and fans.
"The concept that funds from concerts in big venues backs the local stages, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has said.
He is among several artists to give his honor prize money to worthy causes.
Back when they earned the prize in 1996 for their release their work, frontman the singer declared that the band would donate their winnings to the organization War Child.
During 2002, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her prize among a few charities, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.
"I also contributed a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked new equipment," the artist told the media.
Previously, Ezra Collective gave their prize money to the community center that supported their band, in addition to other local music groups.
Also the 1994 recipients the group gave their prize to a charity for MS after a close contact was found to have the condition.
"Winning was sufficient," remarked artist Small. "The money was the extra but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our success affected the lives of others."
Recently, the trust shared it had rescued several grassroots venues in the South East, by placing them under community ownership.
One venue in the city and the other in Bristol were acquired under the public acquisition scheme, which is backed by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "shares" in the venues.