In the last couple of years, local lad Sam Fender has taken the British music scene by storm.
His two albums, Hypersonic Missiles and Seventeen Going Under have both shot to number one in the album chart and have won him five Brit awards, some of which can be seen at his local North Shields pub the Low Lights Tavern. He's also had a sold out tour, with homecoming gigs at the Utilita Arena in front of 10,000 adoring fans and several waving NUFC flags.
And now, he's set to take his act stateside (though perhaps without the flags) as he supports one of the UK's biggest bands on their US tour. Singer-songwriter Sam is one of six acts who will support Florence and the Machine as they tour their fifth album Dance Fever in September and October, with Sam playing dates in Boston, Chicago and at the iconic Madison Square Gardens in New York City.
Read more: Sam Fender's proves he's a Geordie icon with incredible hometown show in Newcastle
It's not Sam's first appearance in the US, having played North American dates following Hypersonic Missiles, as well as performing at Lollapalooza and on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2019. He is performing several dates in the UK and Ireland before jetting off to support Florence and the Machine, including at the Emirates Stadium and in Finsbury Park.
The other five acts supporting Florence and the Machine on their US tour are Arlo Parks, King Princess, Yves Tumor, Japanese Breakfast and Wet Leg, whose debut album is currently No. 1 in the UK album chart. Florence and the Machine return for a UK tour in November, but unfortunately they won't be coming back to the North East - with the nearest gigs in Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.
On Friday night however, they delighted a sold-out Newcastle City Hall in the first of three intimate gigs ahead of the launch of their fifth album. They played singles from their new album including King and My Love, as well as old favourites such as shake it out, dog days are over, and a rousing finale of spectrum, with lead singer Florence Welch draped in the Progress Pride Flag.
Have you been to see Sam Fender or Florence and the Machine? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!
When and where will Sam Fender support Florence and the Machine on their US Tour?
September 7 - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago
September 8 - Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
September 10 - Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkson, MI
September 12 - Capital One Area, Washington DC
September 14 - TD Garden, Boston
September 16 - Madison Square Garden, New York
