Sam Fender has donated the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound honor prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which operates to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots live music spots.
Fender was given the cheque on 16 October as his new release his work was declared the outstanding release of the previous year.
The musician has opted to donate the funds to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages had in his initial steps.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the performances I played around the area, and beyond, when I was beginning," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are legendary, but they are struggling."
Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these venues have shut down – roughly one-sixth of the total UK scene.
In the last year, major artists like the band Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all backed the trust in its initiatives to support the industry, by including a small levy to their admission fees, which goes to help local stages.
Fender also participated, raising more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to support 38 local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The money supported venues that were dealing with possible closure due to difficulties stemming from flooding, fire incidents and personal losses, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and neighbor objections.
Additional spaces received funding support in upgrading infrastructure and sound and lighting systems that positively impacted artists and fans.
"The concept that revenue from concerts in big venues supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for artists like me, is just common sense," Fender has commented.
He is among several artists to give his honor winnings to worthy causes.
When Pulp earned the award in 1996 for their record their work, vocalist the singer stated that the act would donate their cash to the charity War Child.
That year, rapper and singer Ms Dynamite split her bounty across multiple good causes, like the children's charity and a Sickle Cell organization.
"Additionally, I contributed a grand to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I practiced gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked updated gear," Ms Dynamite explained to outlets.
Two years ago, they contributed their prize money to the youth organization that developed their group, in addition to other local music groups.
Additionally 1994 winners they gave their prize to a MS organization after a friend was identified with the illness.
"Receiving the award was quite enough," remarked singer the singer. "The money was the bonus but we didn't need the extra, because we had the cake. So our victory touched the lives of others."
Last week, the MVT shared it had protected a couple of local spots in that region, by placing them under community ownership.
The first in the city and The Croft in the city were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "ownership units" in the venues.
