Sam Fender has shared his ‘Live At London Stadium’ concert film. Check it out below.
- READ MORE: Sam Fender – ‘People Watching’ review: reflective and perceptive indie rock from North Shields’ shining star
The new concert film was announced earlier this week, and released yesterday (November 15).
It captures the Mercury Prize-winning artist playing his biggest gig to date at the 82,500-capacity venue as he kicked off his huge UK summer stadium tour back in June.
The gig was also his first stadium headline date outside of his hometown of Newcastle, and saw him bring out support act Olivia Dean for a rendition of ‘People Watching‘ track ‘Rein Me In’, marking the first time the two singers had joined forces on stage. The track was later officially released.
Elsewhere in the show, Fender made an impassioned speech in support of Palestine and the people of Gaza, saying: “They’ve been subjected to a genocide. It has to stop, and we need to do everything that we can. Free Palestine.”
He also joined by the Easington Colliery Brass Band, who appeared on ‘Remember My Name’. Upon the release of ‘People Watching’, the band revealed that they’d kept their contribution a secret for two years.
Live at London Stadium was directed by Toby L & Kit Monteith and is produced by Up The Game. You can watch the full film below.
Last month, Fender won the Mercury Prize for ‘People Watching’, beating records by the likes of Pulp, Wolf Alice, Fontaines D.C. and CMAT.
Fans on social media have since reacted to Fender’s victory, which they dubbed a “hometown” win.
Earlier this week, Fender announced that he had donated his winnings to Music Venue Trust (MVT), while highlighting the importance of “struggling” small gig spaces in the UK.
In a statement, Fender recognised the vital role that grassroots venues had played in his early career.
“I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out,” he said. “These venues are legendary, but they are struggling.”
‘People Watching’ garnered the biggest opening week in the UK for a British act since Harry Styles with ‘Harry House’ in 2021.
NME gave ‘People Watching’ a four-star review upon its release in February, writing, “Feeling existential, uprooted and disconnected from his old working-class life thanks to his rapid rise to fame, the British guitar hero channels it all into his gorgeous third album.”
Ahead of Elton John collab ‘Talk To You’ being released, Fender told the musician that he has already started thinking about the follow-up to ‘People Watching’. “I’m going to make another album, I think,” he said. “I’ve got a load of other songs, so I want to make another record.”
