Rewind a year ago and Sam Ryder wasn't a household name. Yet following his dazzling Eurovision performance in May last year, which saw us reach the dizzying heights of second place, he’s now known up and down the country.
His universal appeal was reflected in the crowd at Manchester Academy on Tuesday evening. There were young kids fresh from football practice still wearing their kits, older parents accompanying their grown-up children and everyone in between. This vast age range makes sense as he initially rose to fame on TikTok before winning the hearts of the nation (and of Europe) with his performance in Turin
There’s Nothing But Space, Man! is his debut album, although Sam has already secured some legendary performances under his belt. Obviously there’s Eurovision, but in the past year he also performed at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert and hosted a New Year’s Eve party on the BBC when he duetted with the likes of Mel C and Justin Hawkins from The Darkness.
READ MORE:
The stage did reflect that he’s still a relative up-and-coming act, with just two band members joining him, and a star-spangled background with a cartoon-style logo of his iconic hair providing the backdrop. But he arrived full of star power, in a glittery jump suit adorned with planets and smiley faces - an outfit that could be the love child of David Bowie and Elton John’s wardrobe departments.
He dived straight into the upbeat Somebody and had the crowd waving along instantly. Sam rounded off the song with a guitar solo, giving it a glamorous rockstar finish. The pace was maintained during Without You with the singer jumping around on stage and flipping his very shiny and well-maintained golden locks.
Rounding off the first three songs with Put A Light On Me, he finally said hello to the crowd, calling them “formidable human beings” for standing out in the rain - we certainly ensured Sam had a proper Manchester welcome. He spoke nostalgically about the last time he performed here and at one point during the show he even hummed the Corrie theme tune, perhaps this Essex-born fancies a move up North?
There was an angsty moment with Tiny Riot, while he had the crowd in the palm of his hand during Deep Blue Doubt. He toned things down with the ballad All The Way Over, but gave the song a dramatic, rock ending.
Fans were in for a treat as he performed a new song, Mountain, teaching the crowd the chorus so they could sing along. Then came the upbeat This Time.
Prior to his TikTok and Eurovision success, Sam would perform at weddings, where - let’s face it - everyone loves a banger. He’s taken this tried and tested formula on tour and performed a medley of covers, starting with You’ve Got The Love, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and Misery Business.
As we neared the end of the gig we all knew what we were waiting for, that song. But Sam told the crowd that More would be the last one, which was met with boos and hisses.
Of course he returned on stage for the encore and slipped into Lost In You, a slow number providing the perfect contrast to what would come next. Everyone started shouting “Spaceman! Spaceman!” and Sam finally gave them what they wanted, adding in some extra flourishes with his guitar.
At the end he changed the lyrics to “I don’t wanna go home” - and that really sums Sam up. He gave us the best Eurovision performance we’ve had in decades and is, deservedly so, still riding the wave of that success. I don’t think his fans will let him go home in a long time.
The setlist:
Somebody
Without You
Put A Light On Me
Tiny Riot
Ten Tons
Deep Blue Doubt
All The Way Over
Whirlwind
Mountain
This Time
You’ve Got The Love
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
Misery Business
More
Lost in You
Spaceman
For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
READ NEXT:
- Fall Out Boy play intimate gig at Band on the Wall - review and pictures
- Rooftop gigs, big name performances and an artist discovery programme - first details of New Order backed Manchester music conference revealed
- Review: Fatboy Slim serves up an evening of joy and hedonism at Victoria Warehouse
- Review: Panic! at the Disco turn AO Arena into house of memories for the final time
- Test your music knowledge with our quiz
