Back in 2023, Geordie lad Sam Fender announced a show at his home football club, Newcastle United – St James Park, which could hold approximately a 50,000 show.
Of course, Fender fans went mad for it, and the first show sold out almost immediately, with an extra date announced.
Many missed out, but following the release of his latest album “People Watching” – Sam Fender fans everywhere rejoiced, with a mini tour of London Stadium and St James Park, following a successful arena tour in 2024.
Having missed out in 2023 (that’s a story for another time) – I was buzzing to manage to get a ticket to St James Park, plus it was the final night.
I have a lot of love for the North East generally, I spent my childhood there and I have a soft spot for Newcastle generally, so it was so good to be back!
Walking out of Newcastle station, the city was already adorned with Newcastle United and Sam Fender t-shirts, and there was already a buzz across the area.
The final night saw supports from Hector Gannet, CMAT and Olivia Dean – doors opened at 5pm and it was a bumper night of music.
Hector Gannet was first up, a solo project from North Shields headed up by Aaron James Duff, he previously supported at the 2023 edition of the St James Park and I liked that Sam had brought him back – he drew in a good crowd for early doors, and whilst I sadly missed his set, fans on social media have praised the performance and said it was a perfect opener.
Photo Credit: Phil Athey
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Up next was CMAT, from Dublin, now CMAT has been climbing the ranks in recent years and is surely becoming a Indie-Alt staple, with raw lyrics, big backing tracks and lots of energy on stage.
Photo Credit: Vicky Forshaw
I sadly didn’t catch CMAT’s set, but from what other punters around me said, it was pretty good and some of them were converted fans and having listened more to her since the gig, I can understand why, but CMAT does make an appearance later on…
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Next up was Olivia Dean, I heard her set whilst queuing for the bar (I was bloody parched!) after finally making my way into St James Park.
Olivia Dean has got a bloody stunning voice, and it backs it up given Sam has released a new version of “Rein Me In” featuring her and her track “It isn’t perfect but it might be” was featured on the latest (and last?) Bridget Jones film.
Photo Credit: Angela Browell
I can confirm that Olivia sounds just a brill live as she does on record, a proper charm to her voice, soft complexes and genuinely looks like she loves it, which I could see from the big screens whilst making my way down.
I’ll definitely be looking for another opportunity to see Olivia.
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Now for the main event, Sam Fender himself.
Having missed out for the first round of St James Park (long story…) I was ecstatic when I managed to get my hands on tickets.
The crowd erupted as the band made his way on stage, with the sound of “Going Home” the theme of the film “Local Hero” blaring across the stadium.
Sam and the band did not waste any time getting started, with his song… “Getting Started” (I know I’m sorry, I think I’m funny).
The crowd around me (myself included) was singing along, black and white flags from Wor Flags waving around the stands and it felt like a real community coming together, a real atmosphere – for me it felt like a home from home throughout the set.
Whilst I was quite a bit back, I could just about see Sam and the band (plus the screens of course) but even from far away, you could see the enthusiasm shining off them all, it was so bloody lovely to see.
“Will We Talk” and “Arm’s Length” followed, both brilliant tracks (and personal favourites of mine) and the energy kept up throughout.
There were plenty singing along, dancing, people on shoulders, flags waving – it was just an incredible space to be in.
Having seen Sam once before (previously at Belsonic in Belfast, in 2023), he was brilliant last time, but there was a significant improvement for me, maybe it was being amongst his home city, and probably the atmosphere, but the performance, the stage presence and everything was just elevated in every way.
The set list was a really healthy mix of his newer album (People Watching) and his older stuff, although notably Spice, Poundshop Kardashians and Wild Grey Ocean were notably missing from the setlist (please bring these back Sam!!)
“The Borders” was a particular highlight, and just elevated the crowd even further, and I feel like whilst the excitement and the energy was there from the beginning from both Sam, the band and the crowd, it was at this point it really went to new heights – punters shouting back the lyrics and strangers bonding over their love of Sam and the track.
It was followed by “Howden Aldi Death Queue” – certainly the rowdiest track of the set, mosh pits ensued, people screaming “GET OFF THE METRO, NOW!” (If you know, you know) – this was at the perfect point in the set for this to happen, everyone was buzzed, and pumped up the crowd.
He started coming in with some of his slower, more emotional ones at this point, with “Crumbling Empire” and “Tyrants” making an appearance, being newer ones, I felt it didn’t get as much of a reaction but the crowd still loved it, with people taking it all in.
Sam really has the knack of getting people to just stop and listen, it was really something to witness.
Next up was another new one, in the form of “Rein Me In” – a fan favourite of the new album, but with this time, Olivia Dean joined them all back on stage to do a cracking version of the track, which has since been released as it’s own single.
Olivia has the perfect tone for this song and really did do it justice, it was a genuine pleasure hearing it live and I’ve practically had it on loop since it came out!
That was surprise guest number one, with more to come.
“People Watching” was next, and was one of the best songs of the set, arguably the most popular track off the latest album (naturally of the same title) – and after a slight dip in the tone of the set, this along with “Rein Me In” brought it back to a higher octane energy.
Then we had another surprise, as Sam’s original guitar tutor Phil Martin joined him on stage for an absolutely cracking cover of “Boys Are Back in Town” – originally by Thin Lizzy, which the crowd loved, myself included.
Another unannounced guest was Newcastle United’s Dan Burn, who brought the Carabao Cup and lifted it with Sam on stage, being surrounded by many a Newcastle United fan (and in their stadium) you can imagine that went down a treat.
The next few tracks consisted of “Get You Down”, “Spit Of You” – which was adorned on screen with some gorgeous photos of Sam and his family throughout his life, whilst growing up, which definitely put a lump in a few people’s throats for sure, and then for the finale of the initial set, the ever-popular “Seventeen Going Under”.
People knew that wasn’t the end, and who knew that the best was to come?
Soon enough, the stage was relit, and the Easington Colliery Brass Band, which are the band featured on “Remember My Name” appeared and performed with Sam for the track, which saw emotion and tears across the crowd.
This went into “The Dying Light”, admittedly, I was already a bit of a mess after “Remember My Name” as that song hits you right in the feelings, but “The Dying Light” got me, and everyone, friends, family, strangers, all seemed connected, with arms around each other and just really paying attention to the moment, it was really bloody special.
The last of the surprises came with the penultimate track of the night, with “Something Heavy” – with CMAT rejoining on stage, as well as Sam’s brother Liam Fender, plus local musician Niles Krieger – to bring us a mega version of the song.
That brought us to the end, and an emotional exit message from Sam, thanking everyone in the band, but also the fans, and ahead of his final song, shouting out to the scenes in Gaza and Palestine and urging people to donate to the cause and to look after each other, a prominant message that resonated with many.
Of course he finished with Hypersonic Missiles, fireworks released, with confetti adorning the crowd, big sing-a-longs and a mix of happy tears and warmth amongst the crowd, it was the perfect ending.
Overall, a fantastic performance all round, I must admit the addition of Brooke Bentham into the band has really elevated the band to a new level and I am so happy she’s on board – but the whole performance from start to finish was absolutely sublime and whilst Sam and the band are probably having a well earnt rest, I imagine there is more to come.
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