I People Watch On The Way Back Home
Following some social media teasers and a countdown clock on his official website. Sam Fender has announced details of a UK and European tour, that kicks off later this year.
Titled the 'People Watching' tour, it is Sam's first foray back into UK arenas since 2022. Fans had speculated that he would return to arenas after spotting billboards outside major UK arenas earlier in the week.
Sam kicks off the tour in Dublin on December 2nd, From there, he’ll perform at Leeds’ First Direct Arena, Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena and The O2 in London on December 4, 6 and 10 respectively. Before heading to Birmingham on the 13th and Glasgow on the 16th, before a homecoming show in Newcastle on December 20th.
Due to the high demand of the Newcastle gig, tickets will only be available by a ballot. In order to enter this ballot customers will need a North East postcode (NE, DH, SR, DL, TS.)
After those UK shows, Fender will begin his European tour dates in spring 2025. These all take place next March, and include shows in Paris, Zurich, Cologne, Berlin, Amsterdam and more.
Tickets for all shows go on sale next Friday (October 25) at 10am. £1 from every ticket sold for the UK dates will be donated to Music Venue Trust in support of grassroots venues.
As well as the tour dates Sam has been hinting at the release of new music. More specifically the new single "People Watching". The singer-songwriter confirmed that his third studio record was finished and “mastered” earlier this month, after sharing snippets of new material online. Fender then released a live version of ‘People Watching’ – a song he’d debuted at an intimate gig this summer.
Following the annoucment of dates, fans were invited to pre-order the album in order to get a pre sale code.
The album is set for a February 2025 release.
Taking to the stage with Sam on this tour are Wunderhorse, who have had a massive rise on their own accord. Following the release of their second album 'Midas' the band are on their own sell out tour. Having recently taken to the stage at Brixton Academy.
They have history of playing with Sam, after taking to the stage at St James Park last year. Sam is a huge fan, and Wunderhorse are one of the brightest sparks in British guitar music at the minute.
Wunderhorse have recently announced their biggest gig to date. A huge one show at London's Alexandra Palace in May 2025. In celebration of their second album. It's a real coup to get a band of this quality as a support band.
Will you be getting tickets? I think I'm going to be trying.
The pricing of the tour has come under some scrutiny. With a standing ticket for the UK arena shows being £82. This has increased since the last tour, and even an increase on his St James Park gigs, which were £60 a ticket.
It is a bit steep. However, I can't sit here and blame Sam, gigs are becoming more and more expensive, I can remember seeing arena shows for £40/50, and smaller gigs for £20/30 but since the pandemic, and Brexit. The gig economy has changed.
It's a sad thing to see, but that's another post for another day.
Those who are trying and manage to get tickets will be in for quite a show, with too British guitar greats, who are both leaving a significant footprint in the British guitar music landscape.
Thank you for reading x
Jack x