Sam Fender's UK tour dates: A look back at the singer's live shows
A timeline of his tours so far!
The UK’s favourite Geordie heartland rocker Sam Fender has never shied away from giving an epic live performance - having played a variety of festivals over the years as well as headline tours around the UK to support his album releases - and his upcoming third record is no different!
After announcing a career break to focus on his mental health, Sam took some time off of touring around the place, as it was taking its toll and affecting his confidence in his performances. With Sam having now returned to live performances, and him heading on his 'People Watching Tour 2024', read up on his past gigs below...
Sam's 'People Watching Tour 2024'
On 18th October 2024, after days of teasing a big announcement, Sam Fender revealed that he and the gang will be heading on the road just in time for Christmas. Unveiling the 'People Watching Tour 2024' dates, shows were announced across the UK & Ireland, as well as a series of shows continuing throughout Europe in March 2025.
Beginning in Dublin on 2nd December 2024, and culminating with a huge homecoming show in Newcastle on 20th December, Sam will also visit Leeds, Manchester, London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
You can buy tickets from Absolute Radio Tickets.
Announcing the tour dates, fans were able to sign up for pre-sale by pre-ordering the singer's third studio album.
Sam Fender's 2024 UK & Ireland tour dates
DECEMBER 2024
Dublin 3Arena – Mon 2nd
Leeds First Direct Arena – Wed 4th
Manchester Co Op Live – Fri 6th
London O2 Arena – Tue 10th
Birmingham Utilita Arena – Fri 13th
Glasgow OVO Hydro – Mon 16th
Newcastle Upon Tyne Utilita Arena – Fri 20th
Sam Fender's 2023 Newcastle St James' Park gigs
In 2023, Sam electrified his home city's famous football ground, St James' Park, as he lived up to his title of local hero by holding two epic homecoming gigs. Initially announcing one gig for June 2023, phenomenal demand saw him add an extra date - with the shows taking place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th June.
With black and white flags filling the stadium, the singer entered the stage to the iconic 'Going Home' (theme of the Local Hero), and on Saturday 10th June even welcomed very special surprise guests Brian Johnson, from the legendary AC/DC.
Support acts included Holly Humberstone and Inhaler. Read up on the incredible shows here, and check out the images from the historic shows.
Sam Fender's 2022 tour: 'Seventeen Going Under'
Sam Fender headed on a headline UK & Ireland arena tour in March and April 2022, following the release of his second album 'Seventeen Going Under'. Not only that, but following the arena dates, Sam played an outdoor show at Manchester Castlefield Bowl on Wednesday 6th July 2022.
Opening at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena on Sunday 20th March 2022, Sam then headed to Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, Dublin 3Arena, Glasgow The SSE Hydro Arena, Birmingham Utilita Arena, Brighton Centre and London The SSE Wembley Arena before ending on a high with a homecoming gig at Newcastle Utilita Arena on Tuesday 5th April 2022.
After performing many headline shows over in the US, Sam made the announcement that he would be cancelling his remaining three shows, as well as UK record store dates, in order to focus on his mental health.
When was it?
MARCH 2022
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena – Sun 20th
Liverpool M&S Bank Arena – Mon 21st
Dublin 3Arena - Thu 24th
Glasgow The SSE Hydro Arena – Sat 26th
Birmingham Utilita Arena – Sun 27th
Brighton Centre – Wed 30th
APRIL 2022
London The SSE Wembley Arena – Fri 1st
Newcastle Utilita Arena – Tue 5th
JULY 2022
Manchester Castlefield Bowl – Wed 6th
Sam Fender's 'Hypersonic Missiles' tour
When was it?
Sam was set to embark on a huge UK tour in March 2020 - departing in Manchester on the 20th and finishing in his home city of Newcastle on 3rd April. Sadly, Sam was forced to postpone his tour due to the Coronavirus pandemic and rescheduled to April 2021.
In the meantime, Sam became the first artist to play a socially distanced outdoor gig in August 2020, performing at The Virgin Money Unity Arena at Newcastle Racecourse to 2,500 people.
APRIL 2021
Weds 7th - Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom
Thurs 8th - Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom
Sun 11th - O2 Academy Birmingham
Mon 12th - O2 Academy Bristol
Weds 14th - O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
Thurs 15th - O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
Sun 18th - O2 Academy Brixton, London
Sat 24th - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Tues 27th - Alexandra Palace, London
Weds 28th - Alexandra Palace, London
Fri 30th - First Direct Arena, Leeds
MAY 2021
Sat 1st - Utilita Arena, Newcastle (This date sold out in an incredible eight minutes.)
JUNE 2021
Tues 8th - De Montfort Hall, Leicester
He first announced the news of the rescheduled dates on Instagram in March 2020, writing, 'Hey everyone! First of all, I hope everyone is okay in this parallel universe that we’ve walked in to.
'On our upcoming UK tour, half of the venues that we were set to play have shut down following government advice and due to the dangers facing the more infirm people in our families, we all have to be very careful in the coming months.
'We have therefore decided to reschedule this tour. It will now take place later this year and all original tickets will remain valid.
'I’m heartbroken but currently there’s more to be worried about. I’m sure most of you will be having similar worries to me. I have family members recovering from cancer, people with auto immune disease and most importantly very young children and older more vulnerable grandparents to care about.
This is not a time to be careless. We will get through this and celebrate on tour when the madness subsides. Sending Love and Hope from North Shields ❤ Sam and Band.'
NOW WATCH: Sam Fender - Debut Album & "Making It"
Sam Fender's first headline tour in 2018
The 'Hypersonic Missiles' tour wasn't Sam's first foray into headlining - he performed around the UK in slightly smaller venues towards the end of 2018, visiting York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham, Birmingham and two dates in London, before finishing in his hometown of Newcastle.
Which festivals has Sam Fender played?
Although 2020 saw most festivals cancelled due to the pandemic, Sam performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in the slot before headliner Billie Eilish.
In July 2019, Sam played the Mouth of the Tyne Festival, which took place at the stunning Tynemouth Priory and Castle. He also played Glastonbury in June 2019 as well as the Isle of Wight.
The previous year, Sam took to the stage at Leeds Festival, Boardmasters in Newquay, Y Not in Derbyshire and Latitude, as well as TRNSMT in Glasgow. In 2020, he was also announced to be headlining This Is Tomorrow in his hometown of Newcastle.
Sam played a headline slot at Leeds & Reading Festival in 2023, and also performed at Boardmasters Festival 2024.
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Sam Fender's socially distanced gig
Hear Sam Fender's biggest hits on the Absolute Radio playlist.