Project Description

SAM FENDER

@ Corner Hotel, VIC

23/07/19

(Live Review)

Reviewer: Gayatri Chaturvedi

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Fresh from playing a mass of some of the biggest music festivals such as Scotland’s TRNSMT & Australia’s own Splendour in The Grass, Geordie powerhouse Sam Fender accompanied by his band, delivered an irresistibly blistering performance at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel. The rain bucketing down outside proved to be an ineffective deterrent with the venue packed to the brim with eager fans buzzing to witness the spectacular show to be delivered by the Newcastle native.

 

The boys barrel onto the stage with the punchy Millennial’a witty, tongue-in-cheek response to the all too common narrative of ‘young and dumb’ millennials often propounded by modern media. With energetic percussion from drummer Drew Michael, driving the propensity of the feisty tune, Sam’s careful yet biting vocals instantly bring an addictive buzz to the entire room as he hollers ‘I don’t know a thing/Just pick the rubble up/Which you erupted/Many years ago/I’m a millennial!’

 

The undeniable energy within the room only augments as Sam kicks on with the powerful Greasy Spoon’. Driven by the instantly recognizable, pulsating bassline delivered by bassist Tom Ungerer, the tune opens with colloquial vignettes of a female protagonist working in a ‘fragrant greasy spoon’. Seamlessly grappling with the ubiquitous misogyny that emanates from within our society, the passionate vocals of Sam are on full display as he poignantly cries out ‘I am a woman, I am your mother, I am your sister, I am your daughter.’

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SAM FENDER // Photo – Gayatri Chaturvedi

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Addressing the crowd with an endearingly sheepish grin and a ‘How are ya doin Melbourne?’, Sam introduces his fellow bandmates before launching off into his most recent release- the glittery indie rock anthem Will We Talk?’ . With an addictive drumline the danceable tune provides the ideal singalong for fans who pelt back the lyrics with unabashed enthusiasm: ‘if you dance with me darling, if you take me home, will we talk in the morning?’. Looking around the room there’s a satisfying synchronicity of movement shared between the audience and the band members as everyone dances along to the infectious beats of the spirited anthem.

 

Dripping with sweat and smiling widely, Sam looks out at the crowd and asks if anyone is from ‘back home’. Much to both his and the audience’s surprise there are indeed a collective of fans who are quick to quip their hailing from Shields. This is of course met with laughter all around as Sam jokingly intimates “what are ya doing here then? Boy you lot travel far don’t youse?”. Witnessing the affable singer unleash his talent on stage, it is clear to see why fans would travel across the globe to see him at any occasion. Despite being confined within the small room that we are present in, it’s clear that the soaring anthemic numbers being performed are certified belters fit to fill up arenas.

 

Introducing his next song-the unreleased All is On My Side’Sam wryly intimates to the crowd

 

 

I’ve been getting death threats to put this one on the album, but don’t worry it’ll be on the deluxe for those of youse who can fork out the extra cash,”.

 

 

The slower ballad brings a newfound warmth and comfort to the room with gentle guitar riffs that coax the audience in. After hearing the lulling melodies of the song, it’s fair to say that even the most frugal of punters will gladly splurge on the deluxe album just to hear it again. Following on is another new song The Borders’, opening with Joe Atkinson on the keys before the band propel into another guitar-driven ballad.  Steely vocals and a cutting lyrics define the next song ‘Spice’ as the now stoic-faced musician clamours ‘spice up your life!’– a brusque look the spiralling effects of the eponymous drug.

 

There’s a moment of brief silence before Sam, accompanied by lead guitarist- the fondly acclaimed Dean ‘Dean-o’ Thompson (who seemingly has his own fan club at every gig the band perform) gently strum an abridged version of the prelude to one of Sam’s most dynamic songs- Dead Boys’. With much of the room in darkness and only a thin film of light falling on the two musicians, the air is thick with anticipation marked by the immediate arrival of goose-bumps. Lyrically, the track exhibits Sam’s unequivocal talent as he candidly expresses the epidemic of male suicide that plagues his home town in North-East England. Deeply personal and hauntingly pithy the track induces a fervent sing-along from the crowd nonetheless- being a staunch fan favourite. There’s a striking antithesis created as jaunty guitar riffs and heavy percussive beats are coupled with jarringly sombre lyrics, one that leaves the audience completely entranced.

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SAM FENDER // Photo – Gayatri Chaturvedi

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The signature bassline of the politically charged ‘Play God’ stirs excitement amongst the crowd yet again as the dark melody conveys the frustration and angst that oozes from the lyrics as Sam sings ‘Am I mistaken/ Or are we breaking/ Under weight from the long time/ That he played God?’. As the lights flash behind his silhouette there is a surreal, dystopian feel to the performance.

 

The title track of the upcoming album Hypersonic Missiles’ makes its arrival next, the crowd reeling with excitement to hear the politically driven Springsteen-esque anthem. The observational lyrics showcase a resigned view of the current state of the world as Sam relays ‘The tensions of the world are rising higher/ We’re probably due another war with all this ire.’ Insightful yet never sanctimonious, Sam’s accessible lyrics touch on issues that are central to our current social and political climate.

 

Sam’s brazen honesty shines through not only his revelatory lyrics but through his banter with the audience as he amusingly reveals his thoughts on the outdated tradition of encores. “So this whole thing is a farce- I’m gonna pretend to go off but then I’m gonna come back and play 2 more songs, alright?”  Prompted by an onslaught of ironic ‘one more song!’ chants from the audience who play along, Sam serenades us with the stripped back Leave Fast’ inducing a mass sing-along once again. Providing another taster of the anticipated debut album, comes the penultimate tune White Privilege’, an introspective ballad bringing a chilling quietude to the room.

 

Closing the night off with the gutsy That Sound’, the full band make their return to the stage polishing off the set complete with crashing drums and vibrant guitar chords- a ‘not-so subtle middle finger to the naysayers’. The place erupts with loud cheering and generous applause as the band swiftly exit the stage leaving the crowd in a state of ecstatic wonderment.  Between recounting bizarre anecdotes of old ladies and drug dealers coexisting as neighbours in his home town, and smashing out stadium-sized political anthems, the humble and amiable songster delivers a live act that can’t be forgotten.

 

Sam Fender’s debut album Hypersonic Missiles is out September 13th.

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