REVIEW: Sam Fender: Headline Tour | Debut EP 'Dead Boys'

Sam Fender set out back on tour this month prior to the release of his debut EP Dead Boys, set to be released on the 20th. He came to London for three consecutive sold out nights in Omeara and is already well on his way to selling out his February headline at Electric Brixton – a mega milestone for a breaking artist.  

This run of gigs proved Sam is only going from strength to strength with each performance, with his third show on Wednesday overflowing the church-converted concert room, and delivering the strongest vocals at the end of his tour. His oldest, most well-known tracks, including his first independent realeses, ‘Greasy Spoon’ and ‘Play God’ were big sing-along moments for the crowd, as well as a personal live favourite ‘Blue Monday.’

He also performed new songs for his encore, not released or even performed live before this tour, ‘Hyper-Sonic Missiles,’ explaining how on record it has everything from a choir to glockenspiel, but for tonight, it would just be him, showing us the next chapter in his releases for 2019.

As well as his undoubtable, stand-out voice, Sam’s appeal comes from his songs addressing topical issues, from criticisms of celebrity culture to suicide. The blunt honesty with which he approaches his writing is refreshing to music fans’ ears, that too from a young artist. He also creates a community around him, whether he is singing his manager Owain happy birthday on stage, spotting Radio 1’s Annie Mac in the audience, or wishing his childhood friend and guitarist Dean well after his “freak trampoline accident” causing him to have to miss the latter part of the tour.

His debut EP will see the singles he has rolled out over the last few months including ‘Leave Fast’ and his dominating lead single ‘Dead Boys’, as well as new tracks ‘Poundshop Kardashians’. Make sure to check it out on its release and grab a ticket for Electric Brixton before it sells out!

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