The artist gives twenty-five thousand pounds cash award to independent music venues

The artist receiving Mercury Prize in Newcastle
He was awarded the Mercury Prize recently in the North East

The artist has given the full amount of his twenty-five thousand pound Mercury Prize cash to the MVT, which works to preserve the United Kingdom's grassroots concert spaces.

The star was presented with the prize on mid-October as his new release the album was declared the top album of the past year.

The musician has opted to donate the funds to the Music Venues Trust, in recognition of the vital role local spots fulfilled in his beginning days.

"As an artist would not have achieved my current career if it hadn't been for all the performances I did around the area, and elsewhere, when I was beginning," stated Fender. "These venues are iconic, but they are facing challenges."

From early 2023 onward, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – roughly one-sixth of the whole industry in the UK.

In the last year, well-known musicians including the band Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Sheeran have all supported the trust in its attempts to keep the scene afloat, by adding a small levy to their admission fees, which benefits smaller concert halls.

He also joined in, generating over £100k on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight grassroots venues across Britain.

The donation helped spaces that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties stemming from water damage, blazes and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, conflicts and noise complaints.

Other venues obtained funding support in improving facilities and sound and lighting systems that helped artists and concertgoers.

"The notion that money from shows in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it begins for musicians like me, is just sensible," the star has commented.

The band Pulp performing
The group are among the artists who donated their honor winnings to good causes

He is not the first artist to contribute his award funds to good deeds.

Back when Pulp earned the prize in the year 1996 for their album their work, vocalist Cocker announced that the band would donate their winnings to the non-profit the charity.

During 2002, artist the artist divided her bounty among a few charities, such as the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell organization.

"Additionally, I donated a £1,000 to Highgate Newtown, to their gymnastics program, because I did gymnastics when I was younger and they lacked better apparatus," Ms Dynamite told outlets.

Two years ago, Ezra Collective contributed their winnings to the local youth club that developed their group, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally 1994 winners they gave their prize to a multiple sclerosis charity after a close contact was identified with the disease.

"The victory was sufficient," said singer Heather Small. "The prize was the extra but we didn't require the cherry, because we had the cake. So our victory touched another person's life."

Recently, the Music Venues Trust shared it had rescued two grassroots venues in that region, by placing them under public stewardship.

The Joiners in that area and the second in that location were bought under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is funded by Arts Council England and enthusiasts who buy "stakes" in the properties.

Crystal Wilkinson
Crystal Wilkinson

Tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and sharing practical advice.

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