The rise of this North Shields lad has been nothing short of extraordinary.
From supporting Vant in 2017 at the now-closed Fibbers in York to playing Leeds’ first direct arena in front of a crowd of 13,000, Sam Fender’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.
What once felt like witnessing the birth of local talent has transformed into celebrating a fully-fledged icon of British music.
Kicking off the evening was Wunderhorse, a band currently riding high on a wave of critical and fan acclaim. With their latest album Midas making serious noise and a year packed with high-profile gigs - including supporting Fontaines D.C. around Europe and their own headline shows - it’s no surprise that their live performance was nothing short of captivating.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Wunderhorse brought raw energy and undeniable charisma, proving why they’re hailed as one of the most exciting bands of the moment. Their mix of intricate melodies and thundering riffs warmed up the crowd perfectly, leaving the audience buzzing for what was to follow.
As the lights dimmed and the roar of the crowd filled the arena, Fender took to the stage with The Kitchen, igniting an immediate connection with the audience. His ability to balance stadium-worthy anthems with moments of intimate storytelling is what makes him such a standout artist. The set was a masterclass in emotional highs and lows, blending his sharp social commentary with heartfelt personal reflections.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The setlist consisted of some all time classics, alongside his latest releases, both Wild Long Lie, and People Watching, teasing fans to the sounds of the newest Fender album which is set to be released in February.
Tracks like ‘Seventeen Going Under’ brought a collective catharsis to the crowd, with fans screaming every word back at him, while ‘Spit Of You’ delivered a poignant moment of reflection on mental health - a topic that Fender continues to address with unflinching honesty.
One of the standout moments of the night was The Dying Light, which fans were elated to see back on the setlist. Fender’s raw vocals and stripped-back arrangement filled the first direct arena with tear-jerking intimacy, a reminder that despite his rise, he’s never lost the heart and vulnerability that first drew fans to his music.
Drawing the night to a close, Sam told the crowd for these next two songs they might want to have a bit of a mosh pit, urging fans to take care of one another. The riff for Spice then kicked in, which saw the entire arena on its feet, bouncing in unison as Fender’s band delivered a flawless performance. The crowd didn’t even have a chance to catch a breath before ‘Howdon Aldi Death Queue’ turned the crowd into an ecstatic frenzy of people belting the lyrics and emulating the sirens heard in the song.
For the encore the unmistakable opening chant of Hypersonic Missiles echoed throughout the room, leaving the crowd roaring the lyrics long after the show had finished, all the way down to Leeds train station.
It was a fitting finale to a show that felt both triumphant and deeply personal. Fender’s gratitude was evident throughout, and his heartfelt thanks to the fans who have supported him from tiny venues to arenas like this only cemented his status as one of the most relatable artists of his generation.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
It’s almost impossible to reconcile the young artist who played for a handful of people in Fibbers with the confident performer who commanded every inch of the first direct arena’s stage. Yet, the essence of Sam Fender remains the same: a working-class storyteller with a knack for writing songs that resonate across generations.
Leeds was treated to an unforgettable night, showcasing Fender’s ability to make even the largest spaces feel intimate. If this show is anything to go by, the next chapter in his career will only take him to greater heights.
After welcoming around 4,500 attendees in its first year, the intimate house and disco festival is coming back.
Goodlife, held in the beautiful grounds of Harewood House, has fast established itself as one of the region’s most exciting new music events.
After its huge success last year, Goodlife will be back this year even bigger and better than before with a capacity ready to welcome 12,000 festival-goers.
The festival will take place on Saturday 6 June, and the lineup is already stacked.
The Main Stage will host an incredible line up of house music heavyweights including Armand Van Helden, Groove Armada, Alison Limerick, Roger Sanchez and Inner City (Live).
The Downtown Disco Stage will once again bring its signature blend of soulful house to the fields of Harewood House with artists announced including The Shapeshifters, Craig Charles, Michael Gray and Ian Ossia.
This year sees a brand-new stage being thrown into the mix called The Goodlife Tavern that will celebrate Yorkshire’s thriving DJ scene, showcasing local artists and shining a spotlight on regional talent.
Artists performing at The Goodlife Tavern will include Darren Cross, Smudged Soul, Alex Malam, Emiiyuu, Kavita, PJ Gardner and Lee Wright.
Liam Hardy, co-founder of New Vision Events, said: "The response to Goodlife’s first year was incredible and we’ve been stunned by the extremely high demand for tickets for this years’ event so far. We always believed there was room for a dedicated house and disco festival in the region, but the atmosphere and support from the crowd last year completely exceeded our expectations.
“For 2026 we wanted to take things up a notch and create something even better. Introducing a third stage allows us to bring more artists to the festival and showcase some amazing local talent, while the increased capacity means even more people can enjoy the Goodlife experience."
Goodlife Festival takes place on Saturday 6 June and you can buy your tickets here.
Leeds Festival announces second wave of artists including Skepta b2b set
Thomas Melia
One of West Yorkshire's biggest live music events , Leeds Festival, has announced its second wave of artists including a Skepta DJ set.
Back in December, Leeds Festival announced some impressive acts would be headlining like Fontaines D.C., Florence and the Machine, Charli xcx, Raye, Dave, and Chase & Status.
Leeds Festival 2026 also marks the first time this live music extended-weekender will have a Thursday night headliner courtesy of rock band Kasabian.
Alongside the stellar headliners, this year's line-up also sees Skepta, Sombr, Skye Newman, Role Model, Kneecap and more major acts performing next August.
Leeds Festival 2026 announces second wave of artists with over 60 new names / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Now, Leeds Festival has dropped its second wave of artists with over 60 names that are just as hard-hitting and extraordinary as the previously mentioned music moguls.
Headliner RAYE is making her Leeds Festival headline slot a family affair by bringing along her amazing sisters along for the ride too as Amma and Absolutely are now playing sets.
Violet Grohl, the eldest daughter of Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl, is making her first ever festival appearance and bringing her alternative-indie sound to Leeds.
Skepta announced for a b2b set and Violet Grohl makes festival performance debut / Credit: @henrygoodfell0w / Press Shot via supplied
Get ready for Cruz Beckham and The Breakers to step out for a set like no other too, as they prepare a performance all 'for your love' and attention.
There's even a brand-new stage titled The Warehouse which will act as the home for all things dance music, with exclusive b2b sets, DJ performances and a club-like experience.
The acts taking to this stage include Skepta b2b with East End Dubs, Omar +, Bou, Hedex, Rossi, Mall Grab and lots more.
More artists ready to wow the Bramham Park crowd include Arthur Hill, The Lathums, Duke Dumont, Slayyyter, The K's, Paris Paloma, Holly Humberstone and more.
Leeds Festival is taking place from 27 August to 30 August at Bramham Park and to find a full line-up HERE.
If you're after getting your hands on tickets for one of West Yorkshire's biggest festivals when it returns this August, you can do so HERE.
Emily Johnson -
5th December 2024 
