Sam Fender slams gentrification of ‘coolest Newcastle neighbourhood’ Ouseburn

Geordie singer Sam Fender has slammed the gentrification of Ouseburn.

The outspoken North Shields star said that recent buildings in the trendy Newcastle area has started to "f**k with the music scene".

Ouseburn was recently named the 29th coolest neighbourhood in the world by TimeOut based on categories such as culture, arts, nightlife, and food and drink.

The up and coming riverside area has seen a lot of investment in recent years, but it has come at the cost of some much-loved independent spots.

In 2018 a venue for budding music acts, Little Buildings faced closure as its landlord looked to move in a pub or office into the space.

A petition at the time read: "We are not wanted in this tiny two-up two-down 1920s house with no heating and very basic welfare opposite a scrap yard because, 'it cries out for a bar/restaurant or solicitor's office', so I was informed.

"Where exactly will new bands be able to play, where will they develop and move on to bigger venues that they have no chance of playing in until they gather a following. Where else in the city can bands play on a stage in front of 20 people and gain confidence?"

Little Buildings managed to survive, but gentrification of the area has still been seen.

Fender told Dazed: “It’s really starting to f**k with the music scene.

"There’s loads of new apartments being built around the Ouseburn.

"There are new curfews for noise [and] loads of complaints from residents in the new buildings."

A proposed 18-story block of flats that will tower over the Tyneside skyline is next up for Ouseburn, although developers are now reviewing plans due to the number of complaints.

In the interview with Dazed, Fender also shared love for the Northern Independence Party and criticised Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer.

The singer, who plays two sold-out nights at Newcastle's Utilita Arena this week, also spoke of how he struggled to go out in the city these days.

Fender said: “When I go home, I tend to stay in the house because I can’t really go anywhere in Newcastle now without getting obliterated.”