Skip to content

Sam Fender superfan hyped for hometown gig

Anthony Robson Anthony Robson is wearing a black and white Newcastle top with a parrot on his shoulder. He is smiling to the camera and has a chin beard. Anthony Robson
Anthony Robson said Sam Fender was "amazing live"

A Sam Fender superfan who has already seen the singer's current tour five times has said his hometown gig is going to be "one massive party".

When asked by BBC Radio Newcastle how excited he was for the first of three gigs planned in St James' Park, Anthony Robson, from South Shields, said: "On a scale of 1 to 10, probably 100."

He said it was Fender's lyrics which made him such a big supporter.

"I honestly believe his lyrics epitomise what it means to be a Geordie," he said.

Mr Robson said there were "subtle undertones" to Fender's lyrics and he was "amazing live".

He said he had seen Fender about 19 times in total, including his gigs in Manchester, Leeds and Amsterdam on the musician's current tour.

"I need more and more," he said.

A woman and man close to St James' Park Newcastle before Sam Fender's gig. She has blonde hair and wears a Newcastle United home shirt. Both wear Newcastle themed hats and sunglasses on chains around their necks. The man has a trimmed black beard and moustache.
The fans turning up for Thursday's gig had the look of a Newcastle home crowd

Fender is performing at the stadium gigs on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

One band supporting him will be Wallsend group The Pale White.

Singer Adam Hope said he had known Fender for years.

"We used to play gigs at the Linskill Centre in North Shields at buskers night," he said. "Watching his rise to stardom has been incredible.

"It's not everyday you get to play a stadium, let alone St James' Park."

Two young women on their way to the Sam Fender concert. They are outside the Milburn Stand at St James' Park where it curves round towards the Gallowgate. The words Newcastle United, along with the club badge, are on the black brickwork behind a statue of Alan Shearer. People are gathered by a merchandise stall next to the statue. The two fans have their backs to the camera but have their heads turned to face it. They are wrapped in Sam Fender flags that include a cartoon of the singer and a street sign which reads North Shields, North Tyneside.
There are further shows to look forward to at the weekend

Fender began his career in 2013 and has achieved three UK top 10 singles and three UK number one albums.

His latest album People Watching topped the UK charts in UK charts in February and was named the biggest opening week for a British album since Harry's House by Harry Styles, according to the the Official Charts company.

Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.

More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria