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Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Bold Insight

The musician gives £25,000 cash award to small music venues

Sam Fender accepting his trophy in the North East
He received the prestigious award last month in Newcastle

The star has handed over the entirety of his twenty-five thousand pound award winnings to the Music Venues Trust, which works to protect the Britain's independent live music spots.

The star was awarded the prize on 16 October as his third album the album was declared the top album of the past year.

The musician has decided to give the cash to the trust, in recognition of the crucial part small stages fulfilled in his beginning days.

"I wouldn't be doing my current career if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," stated Fender. "These locations are renowned, but they are facing challenges."

Since the start of 2023, over 150 of these spaces have ceased operations – approximately one-sixth of the total UK scene.

In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, Coldplay, the singer Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all supported the Music Venues Trust in its efforts to support the industry, by adding a modest fee to their ticket costs, which benefits local stages.

He also participated, collecting in excess of £100,000 on his live tour to help thirty-eight small stages across England, Scotland, and Wales.

These funds helped locations that were dealing with imminent closure due to challenges caused by water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, court cases and sound issues.

Other venues received financial assistance in improving infrastructure and technical equipment that positively impacted performers and audiences.

"The idea that money from concerts in large arenas supports the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just common sense," the star has said.

Pulp performing
The group are among the artists who donated their award funds to charity

The musician is far from the only musician to contribute his honor funds to good deeds.

Back when the band earned the prize in the year 1996 for their album their work, vocalist Cocker announced that the act would donate their cash to the non-profit War Child.

During 2002, rapper and singer she divided her bounty across a few organizations, such as the NSPCC and a charity for Sickle Cell.

"I also donated a thousand pounds to Highgate Newtown, to their classes, because I practiced gymnastics when I was growing up and they required new equipment," Ms Dynamite shared with the media.

In recent years, Ezra Collective contributed their prize money to the local youth club that developed their act, in addition to other grassroots music organisations.

Additionally 1994 winners they gave their award to a MS organization after a friend was diagnosed the disease.

"The victory was quite enough," said vocalist the singer. "The prize was the cherry on top but we didn't need the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our success touched the lives of others."

Last week, the Music Venues Trust announced it had rescued several local spots in that region, by transferring them to public stewardship.

The first in that area and the other in the city were acquired under the Own Our Venues scheme, which is backed by the arts council and enthusiasts who acquire "shares" in the properties.

About the author

Jennifer Leonard PhD

A passionate travel writer and photographer with a deep love for Italian landscapes and hidden destinations.

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