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Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Digital Fokuspunkt

The artist gives his £25k prize cash award to small concert halls

The artist holding his trophy in the North East
Sam Fender was awarded the honor in October in his hometown

The star has given the entirety of his £25k award prize money to the trust for venues, which functions to protect the UK's small music venues.

Fender was presented with the prize on 16 October as his new release People Watching was declared the best record of the last 12 months.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the MVT, in acknowledgment of the essential function local spots played in his beginning days.

"I personally couldn't be pursuing what I am doing today if it weren't for all the shows I did around the North East, and beyond, when I was just getting going," said Sam Fender. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, at least 150 of these venues have shut down – approximately 16% of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Sheeran have all aided the MVT in its attempts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket prices, which benefits smaller concert halls.

Sam Fender also joined in, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to help numerous small stages across Britain.

The money assisted locations that were confronting potential shutdown due to challenges stemming from water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and sound issues.

Other venues received funding support in upgrading facilities and gear that helped performers and concertgoers.

"The idea that funds from concerts in major spaces supports the smaller venues, where it kicks off for musicians like me, is just common sense," the star has said.

The band Pulp on stage
Pulp are one example who donated their Mercury Prize funds to charity

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

In they earned the prize in 1996 for their album their work, vocalist the singer declared that the band would contribute their prize money to the organization the charity.

In 2002, rapper and singer she divided her prize among several charities, such as the children's charity and a Sickle Cell charity.

"I also gave a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they required updated gear," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

In recent years, the band gave their funds to the community center that supported their act, alongside other local music groups.

Also the 1994 recipients they contributed their award to a charity for MS after a friend was diagnosed the illness.

"The victory was sufficient," said singer the singer. "The money was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the cake. So our success affected the lives of others."

Recently, the trust shared it had rescued several small stages in south-east England, by placing them under community ownership.

The first in that area and The Croft in that location were bought under the community ownership scheme, which is supported by a national body and music fans who purchase "stakes" in the venues.

By

Katrina Greene

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in SEO and content marketing, passionate about helping businesses thrive online.

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