It’s always interesting to see how an overseas artist will fare on tour in the United States. However, beloved English, singer-songwriter, Sam Fender, left nothing up for debate this past Friday, September 19 at Manhattan’s Terminal 5. Filling up venues such as the famous Wembley Stadium, his fanbase in New York knew they were in for a treat.
Before Fender took the stage, the show opened up with indie-rock band Young Jesus. Currently based out of California, front-man John Rossiter describes the group as “party-angst.” A blend of existentialism, grief, love and redemption. All intertwined with lulling guitar riffs and varying experimental sounds. Rossiter told stories from his past to get listeners ready for Sam Fender.
By 9 p.m., fans had packed Terminal 5, proudly repping jerseys for Newcastle’s United Soccer Team. As Fender made his appearance, they pitched themselves forward to barricade in an uproar. Cries such as, “He’s the English version of Bruce Springsteen!” were overheard as the beginning notes of “Angel in Lothian trickled throughout the venue.”
With a focus on his new album, People Watching, Fender also included favorites such as “Arm’s Length” and “Spit Of You.” Whenever Fender took a pause from his rich tonal singing, chants of “ole” grew from the pit below. Hands swayed back and forth and friends huddled together in excitement. Energy was at an all-time high, and there would be no slowing down anytime soon.
The cries of “ole” and “ohhhh” only seemed to be amplified when Fender announced that tonight’s performance of People Watching is a deluxe version This included his new song, Talk To You, which made its debut the night before in Boston.
The night closed out with a piano performance of “The Dying Light,” followed by “Something Heavy” and “Hypersonic Missiles.” Terminal 5 was buzzing, chants continuing even as the house lights turned on.
Sam Fender’s tour continues on, with a few more stops in the states, before heading to Canada & Australia.
Sam Fender-Terminal 5-Friday, September 19, 2025
Setlist: Angel in Lothian, Will We Talk?, Getting Started, Arm’s length, Wild Long Lie, The Borders, Crumbling Empire, People Watching, Talk To You, Howdon Aldi Death Queue, Tyrants, Spit of You, Seventeen Going Under
Encore: The Dying Light, Something Heavy, Hypersonic Missiles
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