Six years ago this week, Sam Fender performed an intimate show at Gorilla in Manchester just ahead of his debut album release. A group of 500 fans gathered in one room to hear songs that would later become the soundtrack to some of their most pivotal years. Reflecting on that night, Sam noted it was filled with a certain kind of magic. He reminisced about the impact Manchester had on him during his teenage years, recalling being in the van with his older brother Liam while listening to ‘Born to Run’. It was both his first visit to Manchester and his first time hearing that CD. Before performing ‘Will We Talk?’, he admitted, “This song is a rip-off of every band that’s ever come from Manchester.”
This past weekend, five of the songs from that original performance were showcased again as Sam Fender headlined Wythenshawe Park to an audience of 30,000. Tracks like ‘Spice’, ‘Will We Talk?’, ‘The Borders’, ‘Dead Boys’, and ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ have transitioned from that small stage on Whitworth Street to arenas, stadiums, and outdoor venues worldwide. Some of these songs have evolved in meaning; others serve as reminders of who we were upon first hearing them.
While there was time during the set to dwell on those earlier tracks, only a few were chosen from ‘People Watching’, but the night was deemed a success from the moment the band took the stage. When the chords of ‘Angel In Lothian’ resonated, the crowd was caught off guard. Sam’s voice was as clear and emotional as ever for the powerful song. This track, a first-time opener and a deluxe addition from ‘Seventeen Going Under’, is a fan favorite that often feels exclusive; Wythenshawe Park enjoyed a special rendition of it.
The evening featured a few more firsts, including the return of 'Alright' to the setlist and 16-year-old fan Noah joining on stage to play guitar during ‘The Borders’. The atmosphere was filled with familiar sights: pints raised like confetti, flares, flames, and fireworks, while ‘Spit Of You’ had young fans on shoulders, passionately singing along to every lyric.
Over time, the live band has grown to include Johnny “Blue Hat” on saxophone, Mark Webb on trumpet, and Brooke Bentham on backing vocals and guitar. This expansion has fostered a sense of community that flowed from the stage to the audience. Sam remarked on feeling a “degree of separation” because of the stage setup, but any perceived distance quickly disappeared once the music began. Even when his back was turned to the fans, he remained close. A concert doesn’t feel isolating when genuine connections abound, and the synergy between the performers and the crowd mirrored the energy of those dancing and jumping together, whether they were long-time friends or just met.
In an interview with The Times earlier this year, Fender stated, “My songs are not a call to arms – more a call to put your arms around your mates.” Echoing this sentiment, Matty Healy, The 1975’s frontman and a fan of Fender, expressed during their headline set at Glastonbury, “Aim for this level of friendship and love in everything you do, and you’ll never fail.” Sam conveys this message not only through his songs but even more vividly during his live shows, creating a sense of something greater than the individual. Whether it’s seeing Brooke harmonizing with Sam, playing her tambourine and dancing with guitarist Dean Thompson during ‘People Watching’, or percussionist Joe Atkinson being the ultimate hype man any artist could wish for, Sam Fender is now a collective force bringing people together to dance, sing, and share tears.
As the show closed with ‘Hypersonic Missiles’, there felt like no more poignant time to sing loudly alongside thousands, making it a form of protest in itself. Shouts of “Kids in Gaza are bombed and I’m just out of it” resonated strongly; Sam’s observations remain as significant today as they were six years prior.
In his farewell remarks, he shared, “I’m gonna step away after this round of shows to sort my stuff out and get my voice in top shape, then create a new album filled with loads of fresh tunes next year. I want to make it the best time ever.” Following a night like this, the only question that remains is: how do you top it?
Words: Sahar Ghadirian
Photography: @graroc / @SamCorPhotos
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Six years ago this week, Sam Fender performed an intimate concert at Gorilla in Manchester just before the launch of his debut album. 500 fans gathered in one space to experience it.