Overview
- The North Shields singer said small venues were crucial to his early career and are struggling, as he directed the full award to Music Venue Trust.
- Music Venue Trust said it has accepted the gift and will ensure the money directly supports grassroots venues.
- Fender’s 2024 arena tour previously generated over £100,000 for MVT’s Liveline Fund, which supported 38 venues across England, Scotland and Wales.
- MVT continues to push a proposed £1 levy on tickets for concerts above 5,000 capacity, with the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport stating full support.
- Recent tours also helped raise over £35,000 for Médecins Sans Frontières, with some media reports estimating combined recent fundraising linked to Fender at about £160,000.