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.
