Sam Fender's UK tour dates: Catch up on his live gigs

A timeline of his tours so far!

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 31st Mar 2024

The UK’s favourite Geordie heartland rocker Sam Fender has never shied away from giving an epic live performance - having played a variety of festivals over the years as well as headline tours around the UK to support his album releases.

After announcing a career break to focus on his mental health, Sam took some time off of touring around the place, as it was taking its toll and affecting his confidence in his performances. With Sam having now returned to live performances, read up on his past gigs below...

Sam Fender's 2023 Newcastle St James' Park gigs

In 2023, Sam electrified his home city's famous football ground, St James' Park, as he lived up to his title of local hero by holding two epic homecoming gigs. Initially announcing one gig for June 2023, phenomenal demand saw him add an extra date - with the shows taking place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th June.

With black and white flags filling the stadium, the singer entered the stage to the iconic 'Going Home' (theme of the Local Hero), and on Saturday 10th June even welcomed very special surprise guests Brian Johnson, from the legendary AC/DC.

Support acts included Holly Humberstone and Inhaler. Read up on the incredible shows here, and check out the images from the historic shows.

Sam Fender's 2022 tour: 'Seventeen Going Under'

Sam Fender headed on a headline UK & Ireland arena tour in March and April 2022, following the release of his second album 'Seventeen Going Under'. Not only that, but following the arena dates, Sam played an outdoor show at Manchester Castlefield Bowl on Wednesday 6th July 2022.

Opening at Nottingham Motorpoint Arena on Sunday 20th March 2022, Sam then headed to Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, Dublin 3Arena, Glasgow The SSE Hydro Arena, Birmingham Utilita Arena, Brighton Centre and London The SSE Wembley Arena before ending on a high with a homecoming gig at Newcastle Utilita Arena on Tuesday 5th April 2022.

After performing many headline shows over in the US, Sam made the announcement that he would be cancelling his remaining three shows, as well as UK record store dates, in order to focus on his mental health.

When was it?

MARCH 2022

Nottingham Motorpoint Arena – Sun 20th

Liverpool M&S Bank Arena – Mon 21st

Dublin 3Arena - Thu 24th

Glasgow The SSE Hydro Arena – Sat 26th

Birmingham Utilita Arena – Sun 27th

Brighton Centre – Wed 30th

APRIL 2022

London The SSE Wembley Arena – Fri 1st

Newcastle Utilita Arena – Tue 5th

JULY 2022

Manchester Castlefield Bowl – Wed 6th

Sam Fender's 'Hypersonic Missiles' tour

When was it?

Sam was set to embark on a huge UK tour in March 2020 - departing in Manchester on the 20th and finishing in his home city of Newcastle on 3rd April. Sadly, Sam was forced to postpone his tour due to the Coronavirus pandemic and rescheduled to April 2021.

In the meantime, Sam became the first artist to play a socially distanced outdoor gig in August 2020, performing at The Virgin Money Unity Arena at Newcastle Racecourse to 2,500 people.

APRIL 2021

Weds 7th - Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom

Thurs 8th - Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom

Sun 11th - O2 Academy Birmingham

Mon 12th - O2 Academy Bristol

Weds 14th - O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester

Thurs 15th - O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester

Sun 18th - O2 Academy Brixton, London

Sat 24th - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Tues 27th - Alexandra Palace, London

Weds 28th - Alexandra Palace, London

Fri 30th - First Direct Arena, Leeds

MAY 2021

Sat 1st - Utilita Arena, Newcastle (This date sold out in an incredible eight minutes.)

JUNE 2021

Tues 8th - De Montfort Hall, Leicester

He first announced the news of the rescheduled dates on Instagram in March 2020, writing, 'Hey everyone! First of all, I hope everyone is okay in this parallel universe that we’ve walked in to.

'On our upcoming UK tour, half of the venues that we were set to play have shut down following government advice and due to the dangers facing the more infirm people in our families, we all have to be very careful in the coming months.

'We have therefore decided to reschedule this tour. It will now take place later this year and all original tickets will remain valid.

'I’m heartbroken but currently there’s more to be worried about. I’m sure most of you will be having similar worries to me. I have family members recovering from cancer, people with auto immune disease and most importantly very young children and older more vulnerable grandparents to care about.

This is not a time to be careless. We will get through this and celebrate on tour when the madness subsides. Sending Love and Hope from North Shields ❤ Sam and Band.'

NOW WATCH: Sam Fender - Debut Album & "Making It"

Sam Fender's first headline tour in 2018

The 'Hypersonic Missiles' tour wasn't Sam's first foray into headlining - he performed around the UK in slightly smaller venues towards the end of 2018, visiting York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham, Birmingham and two dates in London, before finishing in his hometown of Newcastle.

Which festivals has Sam Fender played?

Although 2020 saw most festivals cancelled due to the pandemic, Sam performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in the slot before headliner Billie Eilish.

In July 2019, Sam played the Mouth of the Tyne Festival, which took place at the stunning Tynemouth Priory and Castle. He also played Glastonbury in June 2019 as well as the Isle of Wight.

The previous year, Sam took to the stage at Leeds Festival, Boardmasters in Newquay, Y Not in Derbyshire and Latitude, as well as TRNSMT in Glasgow. In 2020, he was also announced to be headlining This Is Tomorrow in his hometown of Newcastle.

Sam played a headline slot at Leeds & Reading Festival in 2023, and will also be performing at Boardmasters 2024.

Sam Fender's socially distanced gig

Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Sam Fender's socially distanced gig


Hear Sam Fender's biggest hits on the Absolute Radio playlist.

Listen to Absolute Radio on DAB nationwide, on our free app, by hitting that play button on the bottom of your screen and via your smart speaker (“Play Absolute Radio”).