After months and months of build up and fans' excitements levels growing higher and higher by the day,. the time has finally come for Sam Fender to take to the stage at St James' Park for two huge gigs on home turf.
Following a LOT of speculation, Seventeen Going Under star Sam broke the news in September that he'd be playing at the ground of his beloved Newcastle United, with people going wild for the big announcement, sparking a ticket frenzy when they were released the following week. A second date was quickly added after tickets for the first were snapped up in minutes and since then, fans of the North Shields Brit winner have been waiting patiently (or not so patiently!) to see him and his band in action.
The St James' Park shows will be a defining moment in all their careers and lives so far, with over 100,000 people set to flock to the stadium on Friday and Saturday nights.
Sam's support acts have been confirmed for a while, as have the St James' Park stage times and on Friday morning, there was a real treat for fans when Sam launched a special Newcastle editions of his upcoming album, with commemorative picture discs featuring photos from both of the St James' gigs.
If you're heading to SJP over the next few days, here is all the key information you need to be aware of.
Sam Fender at St James' Park
Stage times and support acts
Friday, June 9
Gates: 4pm
Hector Gannet: 4:45pm
Holly Humberstone: 6.pm
Inhaler: 7:30pm
Sam Fender: 9:pm
Curfew : 11pm
Saturday, June 10
Gates: 4.pm
Ernie: 4:45pm
Wunderhorse: 6pm
Holly Humberstone: 7:30pm
Sam Fender: 9pm
Curfew : 11pm
Advice to ticket holders
Ticket holders must bring their tickets along with their booking confirmation and the debit or credit card used for the purchase. A valid photo ID matching the name on the booking confirmation is also required. Failure to bring all of the items above will result in refusal of admission to the event.
There is a specific warning for Sam fans with standing tickets. Information sent out by NUFC reads: 'Ticket holders with ‘pitch standing’ tickets are advised to arrive early as there will be increased security measures in place.
Security and entry rules
Security officers at the event will be carrying out searches of bags and people's belongings to ensure they are not taking in any banned items. Any refusal to allow such searches will result in ticket holders being refused entry to, or removed from the show.
St James' Park is not allowing concert-goers to bring their own food and drink into the ground, this includes bringing in bottles and glasses.
Metro closures
Friday, June 9
St James – closed from 8.00pm
Monument platform 4 (to St James) – exit only from 8.00pm
Haymarket exit only all day (no entry into the station)
Trains will run through closed stations and platforms without stopping.
Saturday, June 10
To assist with crowd control some stations will be closed early and other stations will be for customers leaving the station only (no entry).
St James – closed from 8.00pm
Monument platform 1 (towards Heworth) will be closed from 10pm
Monument platform 2 (towards South Gosforth) will be closed from 10pm
Monument platform 3 (towards Wallsend) will remain open for travel towards Whitley Bay via Wallsend.
Monument platform 4 (to St James) – exit only from 8pm
Manors– Closed from 10.pm
Jesmond – Closed from 10.pm
Haymarket– exit only all day (no entry into the station)
Central Station – exit only from 10.00pm (no entry into the station)
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