Sam Fender shares hopes for live music as he opens Virgin Money Unity Arena: "It will come back"
12 August 2020, 15:33 | Updated: 12 August 2020, 17:12
The Geordie singer-songwriter spoke to Radio X ahead of his gig at the Virgin Money Unity Arena - the UK's first socially distanced venue - and shared his thoughts on the future of live music.
Sam Fender has shared his hope for gigs and live music, stressing that "we will get back to our lives".
The Hypersonic Missiles singer opened the Virgin Money Unity Arena this Tuesday 11 August - marking the first ever show at the UK's first socially distanced venue.
Speaking to Radio X ahead of the event, which took place in Newcastle's Gosforth Park, he said: "I just think the most important thing about today and about this time is reassuring people that this is going to end.
“We will get back to our lives. We will be in fields, absolutely steaming, drinking lukewarm cider in the boiling sun, listening to some rock band”.
He added: “It will come back”.
READ MORE Sam Fender debuts new music at the Virgin Money Unity Arena
PHOTOS: Inside the Virgin Money Unity Arena - The UK's first socially distanced venue
Talking about the setup of the open-air gig itself, he explained: We’ve got loads of platforms. There’s pens at the front and there’s five to six people per pen and obviously you go within your bubble."
Fender - who played a selection of hits and even treated fans to some new music - also shared his pride that he kicked off the first gigs of this kind, and that they took place on his home turf.
"I’m buzzing that we’ve been given the go-ahead by the government and I’m also buzzing that this is the first time it’s happening and it’s our region. It’s the North East, it’s Newcastle that’s doing it. I’m proud that the Geordies are being the trailblazers on this one.”
Sam Fender plays a second night at the open-air venue on Thursday 13 August.
Sam Fender plays new song The Kitchen at the Virgin Money Unity Arena
Get the setlist for Sam Fender's gig at the Virgin Money Unity Arena on Tuesday 11 August:
1. Will We Talk?
2. Millennial
3. All Is on My Side
4. The Borders
5. 17 Going Under (New song)
6. Hold Out
7. Dead Boys
8. Spice
9. (Unknown) (New song)
10. Play God
11. Leave Fast (Solo)
12. Poundshop Kardashians (Solo to full band)
13. Saturday
14. The Kitchen (New song)
15. That Sound
16. Hypersonic Missiles
READ MORE: What inspired Sam Fender to write Hypersonic Missiles?
