Sam Fender has handed over the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize prize money to the Music Venues Trust, which functions to preserve the United Kingdom's small concert spaces.
The star was presented with the prize on mid-October as his latest record his work was declared the top album of the previous year.
He has decided to hand the money over to the trust, in acknowledgment of the essential function small stages fulfilled in his early career.
"As an artist wouldn't be doing this success if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the region, and beyond, when I was beginning," said the artist. "These locations are iconic, but they are in difficulty."
From early 2023 onward, at least 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.
Over the past year, major artists like Pulp, Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its attempts to support the industry, by including a minor surcharge to their ticket costs, which benefits smaller concert halls.
Fender also participated, generating over £100k on his recent tour to assist numerous small stages across Britain.
The money helped locations that were facing potential shutdown due to issues caused by water damage, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.
Some locations were granted financial assistance in upgrading facilities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and audiences.
"The concept that revenue from shows in big venues helps the smaller venues, where it begins for performers like me, is just sensible," the star has stated.
He is among several artists to give his Mercury Prize prize money to good deeds.
When Pulp won the award in 1996 for their album the album, vocalist Jarvis Cocker announced that the act would donate their cash to the non-profit War Child.
In 2002, artist Ms Dynamite divided her bounty between several charities, including the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.
"And I gave a grand to my local community centre, to their gymnastics class, because I practiced gymnastics when I was a child and they lacked updated gear," the artist explained to outlets.
In recent years, they contributed their funds to the community center that supported their group, alongside other grassroots music organisations.
Also 1994 winners they gave their winnings to a multiple sclerosis charity after a friend was found to have the illness.
"Winning was sufficient," remarked singer the singer. "The money was the bonus but we could do without the cherry, because we had the honor. So our success affected somebody else's life."
Recently, the Music Venues Trust revealed it had saved two local spots in the South East, by transferring them to community ownership.
The Joiners in that area and the other in that location were acquired under the community ownership initiative, which is supported by a national body and supporters who buy "ownership units" in the buildings.
