As for their prodigal son, this weekend will be a talked-about highlight in Sam Fender’s career for years to come. Tonight also proves Fender is ready to step into stadium tours — and with a third album seemingly imminent, fans may not be waiting long. Sam Fender played: We’re tribal,” Sam Fender once said of his Geordie roots. “Anything from Newcastle that does good belongs to Newcastle.” When Johnson eventually leaves the stage, Fender is speechless. There’s a brief pause as he regains his senses, taking his first ever stage selfie — “I feel like an influencer,” he giggles — before winding down with ‘Play God’ and ‘The Dying Light’, the latter of which he dedicates to everyone in attendance. After a brief pause, the encore arrives with a soulful rendition of ‘Wild Grey Ocean’ and a late ‘Happy Birthday’ sing-along for bassist Tom Ungerer before the hits everyone’s been waiting for: St James’ Park belts out the high notes to ‘Saturday’ before Fender can sing a word; while the hook of ‘Seventeen Going Under’, which has been ringing through Newcastle for the last 48 hours, finally erupts in full force.

Sam Fender: Live from Finsbury Park album review - proof, if Sam Fender: Live from Finsbury Park album review - proof, if

Well, this isn't just... this isn't just for people from Newcastle, it's for anyone who's from a small town. And this is dedicated to all of our friends who didn't make the night Use italics (lyric) and bold (lyric) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part Sam Fender performs on stage at St James’ Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Picture date: Friday June 9, 2023. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)Fans wait for Sam Fender to perform at St James’ Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Picture date: Friday June 9, 2023. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)