PHOTOS: Sam Fender performs UK's first socially distanced outdoor gig

Sam Fender performed the UK’s first large-scale socially distanced outdoor concert at Gosforth Park in his native North East on Tuesday 11th August.

Socially distanced venue The Virgin Money Unity Arena at Newcastle Racecourse will be hosting a series of gigs throughout August and into September, with Supergrass, The Libertines, Two Door Cinema Club, Tom Grennan, The Bootleg Beatles, Maximo Park and Jason Manford among those set to perform.

However, last night it was the turn of North Shields-born Sam Fender to open proceedings in style with a completely sold out concert.

A total of 2,500 people attended the Sam Fender gig who were all standing in 500 mini enclosures, 2 metres apart, with each one holding up to five people. It’s estimated that without social distancing, the venue could have held up to 45,000 fans.

Each platform allowed a great view of the stage and attendees ordered food and drinks to their enclosures to minimise the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Check out photos of Sam Fender's socially distanced concert:

Sam Fender performed a rapturously received 16-song set that opened with ‘Will We Talk?’ and culminated with a rousing rendition of ‘Hypersonic Missiles’.

Clearly elated at returning to live action, Sam tweeted afterwards, 'Thanks for tonight you f---ing legends.'

Steve Davis from SSD Concerts told the BBC before the gig: “It's a vast site - 45,000 sq metres, the equivalent of over six football pitches, which is crazy. On a normal day you can get 45,000 people in here, but our capacity for the gigs will be 2,500.

"We've also got lots more toilets than we would usually have for normal festivals to keep people apart.

"Hopefully groups together on their platforms in their own bubbles will have a good time and still get the vibe of a really good concert experience."

Sam Fender's postponed Hypersonic Missiles UK tour is now scheduled to take place in April, May and June 2021.

For great music and incredible competitions tune into MFR on FM and DAB across the North of Scotland, online, on our app, or say ‘Play MFR’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years. MFR is the home of Jodie at Breakfast, to Garry and Steven getting you home after work.

• sam fender