Sam Fender at St James Park: Additional local support acts announced for both concerts

There is just two weeks until Sam Fender plays arguably the largest shows of his career when the North Shields local steps out at St James Park, home of Newcastle United over two nights in June.

With anticipation building for the two nights of live music at the stadium, Fender has announced additional support acts for his shows on Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10.

Irish guitar band Inhaler and Fender’s labelmate Holly Humberstone were already announced to be opening nights but a series of local artists have now also been given a platform by the Seventeen Going Under star to perform a stadium show.

Another North Shields act, Hector Gannet, will be opening the two shows, playing a support set on the Friday evening while Newcastle based Ernie will be opening the second show of the weekend.

London based Wunderhorse will also be playing a set on Saturday, June 10.

Following the announcement, the acts took to social media to express their gratitude, Hector Gannet, brainchild of Aaron Duff, said on Twitter: “Can't really express what this means. See you at St James' on Friday, 9th June. Thanks for having us, @samfendermusic. X “

Ernie also took to Twitter, saying: “around six years ago @samfendermusic burst into my life like the Kool Aid guy… and ever since then he has been not only a dear friend but also a mentor, a constant source of inspiration and the biggest champion of all of my creative pursuits.

"Me and the band are so unbelievably honoured to have been asked to play a small part in this huge milestone for @samfendermusic and the team. it’s going to be an unforgettable weekend.”

Fender announced a one-off show back in September 2022 with tickets selling out very quickly. A second date was then added.

This year is set to be a huge summer for Fender after a stunning year in 2022 which saw him headline London’s Finsbury Park and play a sunset slot on Glastonbury’s famed Pyramid Stage, his album Seventeen Going Under was also shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize. Later this summer he will headline Reading and Leeds festivals.

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