When Sam Fender walked onto the O2 City Hall stage to the sounds of Mark Knopfler’s ‘Local Hero’, the title rang true in more ways than one.
Of course, just like songs such as the ‘Blaydon Races’, ‘Local Hero’ is synonymous with its connection to Newcastle United. With black and white flags waving throughout the room, and the roar of the crowd, the atmosphere was certainly reminiscent of a matchday at St James’ Park. Many of the audience arrived bedecked in vintage football shirts from the North East sporting club’s history.
In recent times, Sam Fender has elevated himself to the level of arena status, but tonight’s intimate affair on Tyneside is all in aid of a great cause, that being the North East Homeless charity, a cause close to Sam’s heart. Those lucky enough to be in attendance gained entrance through a ballot for Virgin Media and O2 customers courtesy of Priority from O2.
Subsequently, tonight’s show at the O2 City Hall also ticked off a bucket list item for the North East-based superstar. By his admittance, Fender had wanted to play in this very room since his childhood. Tonight, he follows in the footsteps of many of his favourite groups who have graced the legendary venue’s hallowed stage. Of course, the O2 City Hall might be a little smaller than some of the rooms on his recent arena tour; however, he jokes that it’s not about the size, it’s how you use it.
Subsequently, Sam Fender uses the room to the best of his ability whilst delivering a setlist that is packed with crowd-pleasing anthems. Opening the show with a hat trick of ‘Will We Talk’, ‘Getting Started’, and ‘Dead Boys’ garnered an electric atmosphere from the off, whilst moshpit-inducing renditions of ‘Spice’ and ‘Howden Aldi Death Queue’ certainly got the crowd moving in the venue’s newly renovated floor standing area.
Aside from the uplifting indie/rock numbers, of which there were plenty, one of the highlights came during Fender’s main set closer, ‘The Dying Light’. With the artist performing from behind a keyboard, it showcased a side of his repertoire that we’ve previously not seen live. And whilst the song started slowly, it built with Springsteen-esque bombast.
Of course, there was always going to be an encore – and deservedly so. The crowd sang wholeheartedly at the top of their voices to ‘Saturday’ before Fender had uttered a word, whilst the title track of his latest offering ‘Seventeen Going Under’, and the unmistakable ‘Hypersonic Missiles’, rounded out a high-octane setlist – and we’re not just talking about the CO2 cannons which fired as the set closed.
Whilst the show was always going to be a special occasion, what was most important was the sense of togetherness in the room, with music fans and the industry as a whole coming together and showing their community spirit in aid of a great cause, with the result being a whopping £133,725 raised for North-East Homeless. Congratulations to all involved.
