Sam Fender takes People Watching tour to two nights in Manchester

Sam Fender kicks off his People Watching tour - Image by Natasha Judge

Geordie singer-songwriter Sam Fender took to the Co Op Live stage for two sold out nights in Manchester last week.

In recognition of his upcoming album and recent single - People Watching, Sam and band have embarked on a UK and Ireland tour this month.

The evening was as loved by the crowd as it was Fender himself, as he kept excitedly addressing the audience saying it was unreal.

He said: “We've got some singers in here tonight haven't we?”

These run of gigs come after he took a momentary break from touring, with his last headline tour taking place in 2022, and it was touching to see what the show meant to him. He addressed Manchester night one fans expressing it was his favourite show so far, and that it shook any nerves off.

On Friday’s show, Sam opened with the track - Dead Boys, for the first time which immediately created an emotive atmosphere, and set the tone for the evening as the setlist perfectly encapsulates moments of poignant emotion with mosh pit rocking anthems.

Hits across his discography were played including Will We Talk?, Seventeen Going Under, The Borders, Getting Started, and Spice.

Sam Fender and band performing new track Arm's Length - Image by Natasha Judge

As ever, saxophonist Johnny ‘Blue Hat’ Davis delivered some superb saxophone solos which really tie the band together, when accompanied by Drew Michael on the drums, and Tom Ungerer on bass. Not forgetting newcomer Brooke Bentham, an old friend of Fender’s who has recently joined the band on harmonies.

A fan favourite - Howdon Aldi Death Queue, was mid set and certainly went off, with guitar solos, and colourful, psychedelic graphics to match - alongside audiences chanting the “two meters” lyrics.

The gig also gave a great insight into the tone of the upcoming People Watching album, as new song Wild Long Lie was performed, as well as two unreleased tracks Arms Length and Nostalgia’s Lie. Both of which will undoubtedly be chanted along at future gigs after the album's release on February 21.

Sam Fender singing to a sold out Co-op Live in Manchester - Image by Natasha Judge

The crowd of 23,500 were certainly not shy in singing along to the setlist, and chants of ‘Woah-ohs’ from hit Hypersonic Missiles continued into the tram queues when leaving the venue.

The finale was certainly a show stopper with confetti and indoor fireworks to see the night of indie rock classics and new music to a close.

Fans brave Storm Darragh to see two nights of Sam Fender - Image by Natasha Judge

The People Watching tour is also stopping at London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle, before hitting Europe, America and further UK stadiums next year.

Further information can be found here.

Setlist:

Dead Boys

Getting Started

The Borders

Wild Long Lie

All Is On My Side

Nostalgia's Lie

Arm’s Length

Will We Talk?

People Watching

Spice

Howdon Aldi Death Queue

Get You Down

Spit of You

The Dying Light

Seventeen Going Under

Hypersonic Missiles