Sam Fender
Brighton Centre – Wednesday, March 30
STARTING a show with an apology could easily be a bad omen for some musicians – but not Sam Fender.
The Geordie singer-songwriter had an emergency visit to a dentist in the city centre before taking to the stage at the Brighton Centre on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old said despite “internally screaming” after the dentistry work, he was pumped full of drugs and was ready to rock.
“The drugs are kicking in. Don’t worry, I don’t take illegal drugs. I just do drugs from the dentist,” he clarified to the sell-out crowd.
After an electric start, Sam took a seat in front of a Newcastle United flag-draped piano and sipped a cup of tea.
Soulfully singing through the steam of his brew, he and his seven-piece band picked up the pace – encouraging Brighton to show off their mosh-pit abilities.
His response to the venues attempt - “Brighton is serious then.”
Sam, best known for his hit single Seventeen Going Under, did take time to stop the set on a number of occasions to check up on some worst for wear fans in the crowd, which was scattered with Newcastle United shirts.
“This is supposed to be our little one, so that’s f**king mental,” he said referring to their upcoming shows at the SSE Arena in London and the Metro Radio Arena in how hometown of Newcastle.
“We walked past this venue when we played The Great Escape Festival a few years back, and Dean said I wonder if we’ll ever play here - and here we are,” he added.
“We’re having the best time of our lives this last few weeks. Just enjoy being back out again - this is what it’s all about.”
Finishing with an encore of Seventeen Going Under and Hypersonic Missile, the fans were left singing his hit records on the way out of the venue and into the streets.
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