Sam Fender’s three night masterclass at St James Park

Sam Fender and band performed three sold out nights at St James Park, Newcastle, totalling over 150,000 fans attendance over the weekend. 

With special guests and seas of black and white stripes in the crowd, it is easy to see how much this means to both the band, and the fans.

Sam Fender arriving on stage at St James Park - Image by Natasha Judge

Geordie singer-songwriter, Sam Fender, started his set with Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero, with Jonny ‘Blue Hat’ David on saxophone, and Mark Webb on trumpet - before the rest of the band accompanied them on stage.

Like with any Fender concert, the close knit energy of the band is predominant, and they could be seen smiling during the majority of their hometown gig.

When greeting the crowd, Sam, jokingly asked ‘who’s calling in sick tomorrow’ which was met with cheers. 

“Yes, the whole city is calling in sick tomorrow, that’s what we’re doing.

Fuck it I’m calling in sick tomorrow!”

Sam on stage with his old guitar teacher - Image by Natasha Judge

Kicking off with track Getting Started, the setlist included a mix of tracks from his discography, including a cover of ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’. This cover in particular was a wholesome moment, as Sam brought out his guitar teacher from school to join the Thin Lizzie rendition. 

In support of the latest album release - People Watching, tracks ‘Arms Length’, ‘Crumbling Empire’, and ‘Tyrants’ off the Me and The Dog EP were performed, and notably excellent live.

In St James Park show fashion, Sam invited an audience member, Alfie, to play acoustic guitar on the track ‘The Borders’. It was a lovely moment to witness, as the young lad was smiling whilst playing back to back with guitarist Dean Thompson. 

The band welcome local lad, Alfie, to join performance - Image by Natasha Judge

The evening was filled with surprises, as Blyth’s own Big Dan Burn, Newcastle United’s defender, came out with the Carabao cup.

After raising the cup to the cheering crowd, Burn quoted Sam Fender song ‘The Dying Light’.

“This is for my mam, my dad, and all my pals, and all those ones that didn’t make the night.”

'He's from Blyth...' Dan Burn with the trophy on stage - Image by Natasha Judge

However, the guests didn’t stop there as opening act, Olivia Dean, was brought out for a rendition of People Watching track ‘Rein Me In’. The track worked well with Olivia’s added verse, and thankfully the song is to be released on Friday, June 19.

In addition, Fender and band brought out CMAT, Niles Krieger, and Sam’s brother - Liam, for a beautiful version of track ‘Something Heavy’.

Before leaving the stage for an encore, the band performed the hit ‘Seventeen Going Under’, which Sam dedicated to his mam who was in the crowd that evening.

“My mothers here tonight, mam wherever you are, I love ya.”

The encore was nothing short of emotional togetherness both on stage, and especially within the crowd. Fender brought out the Easington Colliery Brass Band for the track ‘Remember My Name’, a song dedicated to his grandparents. 

This was followed by ‘The Dying Light, and there were very few with dry eyes. 

Both these songs in particular provide comfort, and acknowledgement of grief, and it was obvious to see just how many of the audience were deeply touched by their inclusion in the setlist.

Fireworks at St James Park for Sam Fender finale - Image by Natasha Judge

The show closed with the hit ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ and was a showstopper and a half, with confetti, fireworks, and ‘woah-oh’ chants that could be heard in Sunderland!

The show had support from CMAT, who was an excellent choice, her energetic set was really well received, and she had everyone in the crowd two-stepping to track ‘I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!’.

CMAT and band taking a bow at St James Park - Image by Natasha Judge

Sporting a Newcastle United top, the Irish singer songwriter, felt very welcomed in the toon and even professed she wanted to marry a Geordie, and she has since said the applications are piling in!

Sam and band on stage in Newcastle - Image by Natasha Judge

The evening was a testament to how far Fender has come, there were several moments where he and the band could be seen taking it all in.

Before Sam takes off on his North American and Australian leg of the tour, you can catch him in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast this August. For further information tour dates, and the People Watching album, visit his website here.

Setlist

Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero

Getting Started

Will We Talk?

Arm's Length

The Borders

Howdon Aldi Death Queue

Crumbling Empire

Tyrants

Rein Me In

People Watching

The Boys Are Back In Town

Get You Down

Spit of You

Seventeen Going Under

Remember My Name

The Dying Light

Something Heavy

Hypersonic Missiles