Sam Fender's live performance in Leeds: The Geordie icon smooths his transition into a fresh musical era, maintaining safety throughout
Sam Fender's "People Watching" tour and album have been met with widespread acclaim and impressive commercial success in 2025. The album, released on February 21, marked Fender's third Number 1 album in the UK and became the biggest new album release of the year so far, with over 189,000 units sold to date.
Critics have praised the album for its emotional depth and quality, describing it as "a slice of magic in a landscape of drivel." The album's sound balances reflective songwriting with strong production, featuring contributions from Adam Granduciel and Markus Dravs.
However, Fender's live performances have been impacted by a vocal hemorrhage, leading to the cancellation of several European festival appearances and gigs while he was on vocal rest. This health issue has understandably delayed some of the live experiences for fans.
Despite the setbacks, the audience and critics show strong enthusiasm for Fender’s new material. The setlist for his current tour, which includes songs from his first two albums and the new "People Watching" tour, showcases a successful balance of old and new songs. Highlights include the euphoric reaction to the title track "People Watching," the delicate beauty of "All Is On My Side," and the War On Drugs-esque solo in "Wild Long Lie."
Fender's awareness of the mainstream audience he now commands is evident in the concert, with songs such as "Spice" briefly nodding to Queens of the Stone Age's "Song For The Dead." The concert also showcases some glorious HAIM-style gang vocals in "Arm's Length."
The concert in Leeds' First Direct Arena, the first UK date of the "People Watching" tour, affirmed that the new material will have to fight for its place in the setlist. However, with the success of the album and tour so far, it's clear that Fender's career could potentially elevate to unprecedented heights.
Fender has announced that his third album will be performed in stadium shows next year, indicating a promising future for the artist. For updates on individual show reviews and further feedback on the new songs, follow the latest news on Sam Fender's performances.
[1] Official Charts Company [2] NME [3] The Guardian [4] BBC News [5] Sam Fender's official website
News about Sam Fender's successful "People Watching" album and tour has been dominating the entertainment sector in 2025, as reflected in various music publications like the Official Charts Company, NME, The Guardian, BBC News, and Sam Fender's official website. Despite canceling several concerts due to a vocal hemorrhage, the anticipation for his scheduled stadium shows next year is high, hinting at a potential elevation of his career.
