SAM FENDER // O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW
Sam Fender returns to Glasgow for Sold-Out show at O2 Academy following his appearance at TRNSMT Festival at Glasgow Green this summer.
SAM FENDER
★★★★★ (5/5)
I first saw Sam Fender play almost exactly 5 years ago in a pub in Ullapool. The 25 year old’s warm, endearing demeanour hasn’t changed, but just about everything else has. Back in 2014 he played some soothing folk to people who were eating their dinner, tonight he has the terraces and floors filled at one of Glasgow’s most iconic venues.
Although in and around the barriers are mostly occupied by the younger generations, he clearly has appeal across all ages. Perhaps his open admiration for greats like Springsteen goes some way in explaining this.
The reception he receives when walking on stage is something I haven’t seen at one of his shows yet. I’ve been watching him grow the past few years, playing to bigger and bigger crowds. The sheer hysteria his mere arrival on stage causes highlights how far he has come.
The song that I always viewed as his traditional opener – Millennial – makes way for a tune that has been a favourite amongst fans long before its release, Will We Talk? A song that lies more heavily towards the pop side of the fence compared to the rest of his repertoire, it acts as a perfect opener and pre-curser to the set.
Fender’s social awareness has always been abundant in his writing. Greasy Spoon, Spice and Dead Boys are songs likely to withstand the test of time because of the impact they leave on the audience both in live concert and on record. The main bulk of his set finishes in total delirium as the crowd boil over to sing back the album’s title track Hypersonic Missiles.
Sam returns without his band to play Leave Fast, a song that comes closest to the type of music he played in Ullapool all those years ago. He moves up in pitch to tenderly hit delicate notes whilst the atmosphere in the venue is completely flipped on its head. He closes with new fan favourite Saturday about an ex-landlord of his and That Sound. Before he leaves, he can’t help but tip his hat to one of his biggest influences and plays a Bruce Springsteen cover.
His progress over the last year has been quite startling. In articles like these I often try to look ahead, but if he carries on at this pace predicting where he’ll be in another 5 years is impossible.
SETLIST: | SAM FENDER : O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW - 25.11.2019
Will We Talk?
Millennial
Start Again
Greasy Spoon
All Is on My Side
The Borders
Dead Boys
Spice
Play God
Hypersonic Missiles
ENCORE:
Leave Fast
Saturday
That Sound
Dancing In The Dark - (Bruce Springsteen cover)