'These venues are legendary': Sam Fender donates entire Mercury Prize winnings to music charity

• Sam Fender has donated his entire Mercury Prize cash prize to a UK music charity, it has been revealed.
• The £23,000 prize has been donated in full to The Music Venue Trust, who look to support grassroots venues in the UK.
• Fender admits that if it weren’t for those venues at the start of his career, “I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today”

After winning this year’s Mercury Prize in his hometown of Newcastle, singer Sam Fender has decided to “pay it back” to those venues that helped foster his career - donating a significant sum of money to The Music Venue Trust.

The Music Venue Trust (MVT) works diligently to protect and secure the future of grassroots music venues across the United Kingdom.

Their mission is critical, as these essential cultural hubs face significant challenges. In 2024 alone, the UK saw the closure of 25 music venues, primarily due to the pressures of escalating operating costs and evolving consumer habits in the post-pandemic landscape.

The MVT continues to advocate for these venues, recognising their vital role in supporting emerging artists and maintaining the health of the UK's music ecosystem - an element that Fender attests as the reason for donating his £25,000 prize winnings.

Fender joins past winners, such as Ms Dynamite in 2002 and M People in 1994, by donating the cash to charity.

Speaking about the decision to donate his winnings, Fender admits, "I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it wasn't for all the gigs I played around the North East and beyond when I was starting out.

“These venues are legendary, but they are struggling."

Mark Davyd, Chief Executive and Founder of the Music Venue Trust (MVT), expressed immense gratitude for Sam Fender's contribution, stating that the donation is an "incredible gesture."

Davyd highlighted that Fender's actions "demonstrate once again that artists absolutely understand how vital grassroots music venues are to their careers and to their communities."

He concluded by affirming the MVT's commitment to maximising the impact of the gift: "We are honoured to accept this donation and will ensure every penny of it makes a direct difference to the campaign to keep live music at the heart of our towns and cities."

Fender recently claimed the prestigious annual Mercury Music Prize for his third album, People Watching. The award, which recognises an outstanding LP by a British or Irish artist, was presented to Fender at a ceremony last month in his hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Fender's win saw him triumph over stiff competition from a strong shortlist that included Fontaines D.C., Pulp, FKA twigs, and PinkPantheress, among others.