Sam Fender

[Boomtowner]

Personally, I really hope he doesn't headline next year...because i won't be there, but that's the only reason. I really don't want to miss his first headline set, I'll be gutted beyond words.

 

Loved his music when his streaming numbers were in the low tens of thousands, and it's been amazing to watch his career grow. I introduced him to a pal in Florida, I'd worked with. He's in his seventies and is a huge Springsteen fan. He believes that Fender will be as influential. He appeals to a huge cross section.

 

He showed in 22 that he had the skeleton of a great headline set. The early stuff from the second album shows great potential, I'm expecting it to be a belter. Leave Fast doesn't appear to be on his setlists and he never played it in 22. I love that song and if he played it mid set in a headline show, I know it'd be a true moment for me. 

 

Really hope he's the 2027 headliner!

[Alvoram]

1 hour ago, matrainertje said:

The next record will be quite important actually. Curious if it will feature a big hit song. That first single isn't doing much sadly. 

People Watching is quite good, I like it anyway, but you're right, it's no SGU.

BTW It feels familiar, to the point that, every time I hear it, I think it's a much older song. But I can't put my finger on which song or artist it is, that it reminds me of. It's been driving me nuts, trying to work it out. (Still like it though.)

This album is important, when people cite things like "But Billie only had 2 albums" they aren't painting the full picture. His albums had 11 and 12 new songs each, on the main albums at least, (I think there was some bonus material / lives too)  and he's only actually had 3 top 40 hits at this point, 2 of them this year. Her albums had 14 and 16 songs on them if I remember correctly, and she'd already had something like 11 or 12 UK top 40 hits by the time she headlined. Again, not the be all and end all, but it's worth mentioning. 

I still think he'll pull massive numbers and put on a great show if he headlined, without a doubt, and I'd be there. But it wouldn't hurt to wait a couple more years.  

[Padjeq]

37 minutes ago, Alvoram said:

People Watching is quite good, I like it anyway, but you're right, it's no SGU.

BTW It feels familiar, to the point that, every time I hear it, I think it's a much older song. But I can't put my finger on which song or artist it is, that it reminds me of. It's been driving me nuts, trying to work it out. (Still like it though.)
 

 

I had the same ordeal and then settled on Walk of Life by Dire Straits

[MEGABOWL]

1 hour ago, WhoOdyssey said:

Always hard releasing new music at this time of year though (these days at least).

 

The song would be at #15 in the charts this week without Christmas songs - not bad imo!

That’s very good, what, 3/4 weeks after release. Been getting a big reaction in the live sets too from what I heard.

[Alvoram]

15 minutes ago, Padjeq said:

 

I had the same ordeal and then settled on Walk of Life by Dire Straits

That's a good shout actually, I can see that...

But I've just realised what it is for me... I was thinking Higher Power - Coldplay. Now, putting them side by side, I've no idea why, but that's definitely what I was thinking of. Maybe it's the beat and 'feel' of the song, even though it slower than HP. 🤷‍♂️

[stuie]

12 hours ago, Suprefan said:

Sza even met the criteria, its just she wasnt received as it shouldve been.

Sza didn't meet any criteria.  

 

She didn't even meet the criteria of majority of people knowing who she is. 

[NorthernSoul52]

If Fender's touring cycle goes how I think it will, then there might be a new record to tout at the end of 2027. He could possibly do the G that first year back if he doesn't tour heavy festivals here in 2026 - but a lot will depend on both his health and any wider desire to still crack those overseas markets.

[FloopFiller]

3 hours ago, Alvoram said:

That's a good shout actually, I can see that...

But I've just realised what it is for me... I was thinking Higher Power - Coldplay. Now, putting them side by side, I've no idea why, but that's definitely what I was thinking of. Maybe it's the beat and 'feel' of the song, even though it slower than HP. 🤷‍♂️

IMO it sounds incredibly similar to Don Henley - The Boys Of Summer, except just not nearly as good. 

[charlierc]

On 12/18/2024 at 10:21 AM, WhoOdyssey said:

The song would be at #15 in the charts this week without Christmas songs - not bad imo!

Maybe Fender should do a cover of All I Want For Christmas Is You if he wants the tracklist position this time of year.

[NorthernSoul52]

On 12/18/2024 at 3:50 PM, FloopFiller said:

IMO it sounds incredibly similar to Don Henley - The Boys Of Summer, except just not nearly as good. 

 

The Boys of Summer an all-timer, but I can't really see the similarities, I must admit! 

[Sam Y]

I could definitely see Sam replacing Neil Young now he's pulled out

[Ayrshire Chris]

10 minutes ago, Sam Y said:

I could definitely see Sam replacing Neil Young now he's pulled out

Sad if the Neil news is correct but I’d be happy having Sam as a headliner. 

[Someoni]

I'd definitely prefer our Sam Springsteen to Shakey

[NorthernSoul52]

Said it before, said it again. Get the lad booked.

[WolfIsHere]

I was a doubter at the end of last year but now I’m pretty sure he will headline! He’s a Brit award nominee, his latest singles are immediately being played on the radio and he’s got a huge Glastonbury shaped hole in his summer schedule.

[NorthernSoul52]

The Radio 1 date sets him up for a big summer. Really curious to know if negotiations ever opened. 

[fraybentos1]

3 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

The Radio 1 date sets him up for a big summer. Really curious to know if negotiations ever opened. 

Pretty sure they did in some capacity. I'm pretty shocked that it doesn't appear to be happening but he can easily just do 2027 or whatever you would imagine.

[itsfomas]

Wouldn't shock me if he is a reserve in case Neil Young pulls another Neil Young. 

[danbailey80]

I'd be surprised if there were never any talks to headline. It's been open knowledge that the album was coming out late 2024/ early 2025 with inevitable stadium gigs next summer (now sold out). 

 

If they didn't they missed an absolute shocker there.

 

An artist at his peak (as he will be in the summer) that appeals to all ages with easily enough big songs to carry it off and a proven track record on the Pyramid. 

 

2027 would work but 4th album might not be out by then. So timing wouldn't be as ideal.

Edited February 3, 2025 by danbailey80

[NorthernSoul52]

I honestly was surprised The 1975 emerged ahead of him. Just thought the G would chase him instead. 

[Ayrshire Chris]

4 hours ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

I honestly was surprised The 1975 emerged ahead of him. Just thought the G would chase him instead. 

Agree with that. He’s also got in my opinion a wider appeal, especially to a Glastonbury audience. And his star is definitely rising. We saw him recently in Glasgow, just before his throat problems and despite that he was immense. 

it’s possible the 1975 were booked quite a time ago. The festival has said in the past that they do this. Sam would also pull a bigger crowd than them. 
still a Glasto shaped gap in his schedule 🤞

Edited February 3, 2025 by Ayrshire Chris

[matrainertje]

5 hours ago, danbailey80 said:

I'd be surprised if there were never any talks to headline. It's been open knowledge that the album was coming out late 2024/ early 2025 with inevitable stadium gigs next summer (now sold out). 

 

If they didn't they missed an absolute shocker there.

 

An artist at his peak (as he will be in the summer) that appeals to all ages with easily enough big songs to carry it off and a proven track record on the Pyramid. 

 

2027 would work but 4th album might not be out by then. So timing wouldn't be as ideal.

Maybe they won't want to risk it because of Fender canceling gigs all of the time (mental/physical health issues). He's canceled another show yesterday.

[fraybentos1]

The 1975 were meant to be booked for the 2021 fest that never happened if I am remembering correctly so maybe the fest feels like they are owed it. Why they didn't get them in 2023 over AM I dunno.

[CaledonianGonzo]

AM more of a marquee name

[charlierc]

3 hours ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

AM more of a marquee name

Very much so given how many stadium dates they did around Glastonbury.

 

Weren't The 1975 active last year too though? Feel like they could've been a shout for that.