Geordie hypersonic superstar, Sam Fender takes the roof off O2 City Hall Newcastle with a fundraising gig which clocked up £133k. Sam Wonfor couldn’t have been happier to be there.
Howay the Lad! Sam Fender playing his dream gig at O2 City Hall Newcastle
Standing on stage at the O2 City Hall Newcastle, Sam Fender marvelled at the roster of legends who had been there before him.
Somehow during his journey to superstardom, the 28-year-old hadn’t managed to book himself a gig at the venue where he’d seen so many of his musical heroes.
He’s played bouncing gigs at the Academy, performed alongside the Royal Northern Sinfonia at Sage Gateshead and he packed out the Arena for two nights just a few weeks ago.
But, like Sam himself, there’s something special about the history-soaked City Hall – so what better place to do something amazing on a Tuesday night?
Having signed on as a patron for North East Homeless earlier this year, this was to be a one-off gig with all the money from the balloted tickets going to the charity.
Sam Fender. Nailed on Geordie legend and he’s only 28
It was luck customers of Virgin Media and O2 who had the chance to throw their donation in the ring, in the hope of winning one of 875 pairs of tickets for the close up concert which blew us all away.
After being soundtracked onto stage by Geordie anthem, Local Hero – and welcomed with a sea of swaying black and white flags and more than a smattering of fans proudly sporting their Toon tops – Sam and his band, who are as tight as they come, launched into a 90-minute set which was relentlessly brilliant.
Showcasing banging track after banging track from his two-album back catalogue, the packed in crowd – many of whom were enjoying the fancy new seats-out option in the stalls – sang every word to the likes of Will We Talk?, Dead Boys and The Borders from his debut album, Hypersonic Missiles and Spit of You, Get You Down and Mantra from its follow up, Seventeen Going Under.
Geordies here, Geordies there. Black and White is everywhere. Sam Fenda-a-a-a-a-a-a-a
Ahead of the encore, which had Saturday, the Ivor Novello Award-winning Seventeen Going Under and the cast-iron classic, Hypersonic Missiles in its back pocket, Sam brought Brian Burridge, founder of North East Homeless alongside one if the charity’s key workers, Earl Charlton on stage to accept the giant cheque, which came with a whopping £133, 725 inked onto it.
The charity, which provides training, support – including food and emergency equipment – and employment for people who are experiencing homelessness or who have lived through such hardships, will use the money to transform its Fish Quay hub in North Shields as well as support its ongoing work..
Sam singing his heart out at O2 City Hall Newcastle
After the gig, Sam said: “It’s been an honour to be able to put on such a special show in my hometown and to raise such a huge amount of money for North East Homeless.
“I hope it will make a real difference to those in need. Massive thanks to O2 and to everyone involved and to all the fans who entered the ballot. For anyone who missed out this time, we’ll be back in the Toon again next year.”
A big cheque with a big number on it
Brian Burridge, Founder of North East Homeless, added: “We’re so honoured and blown away by what Sam and his team are doing for North East Homeless, Sam has always supported us and helps us when we are challenging for change. O2 City Hall is iconic in the North East, we still can’t believe this is all happening.”
To make a donation to North East Homeless, get yourself here. To see Sam Fender when he’s next doing his thing on home turf, start your ticket-buying training NOW. I’ll race you.