Sam Fender has just gone even bigger. The North Shields songwriter has announced the Proper Massive Stadium Tour for 2027, including two nights at Wembley Stadium, two at St James' Park and two at Manchester's Etihad Stadium, with pre-orders open for his fourth album.
It follows a golden run: a Mercury Prize, BRIT Awards and Rein Me In with Olivia Dean, now the longest-running UK number one single ever. Here is how a lad from the North East became the voice of a generation. Shop more tribute designs in our Pop Music collection.
Sam Fender Fact File
| Full name | Samuel Thomas Fender |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 April 1994 (age 32) |
| Place of birth | North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, guitarist |
| Years active | 2013-present |
| Genres | Rock, indie rock, heartland rock |
| Label | Polydor |
| UK number one albums | 3 |
| Current status | Fourth album announced, 2027 stadium tour |
Career History
| Year | Release | UK peak |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Hypersonic Missiles | 1 |
| 2021 | Seventeen Going Under | 1 |
| 2025 | People Watching | 1 |
| 2025-2026 | Rein Me In (with Olivia Dean) | 1 |
UK peak is the highest Official Charts position for each album or single.
Early Years in North Shields
Fender grew up on the North Tyneside coast and started out playing gigs around the North East. His band, with Dean Thompson on guitar, built a devoted local following before he signed to Polydor.
In 2019 he won the BRIT Critics' Choice award, the same year his debut album Hypersonic Missiles went straight to number one in the UK.
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Seventeen Going Under
His second album, Seventeen Going Under (2021), was a breakthrough of a different scale. The title track won an Ivor Novello Award, the album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and he took Best Alternative/Rock Act at the 2022 BRITs.
In June 2023 he played two homecoming nights at St James' Park in Newcastle in front of around 100,000 fans.
Sing along to Seventeen Going Under in our Sam Fender Men's T-Shirt.
People Watching and the Mercury Prize
People Watching arrived in February 2025 and became his third UK number one album, with the biggest opening week for a British act since 2022. In October 2025 it won the Mercury Prize at a ceremony held in Newcastle, the first time the event left London.
Rein Me In and the Road to the Stadiums
Rein Me In, his duet with Olivia Dean, became his first UK number one single in February 2026 after a record 35 weeks in the Top 40. By October 2026 it had spent 23 weeks at number one, the longest-running UK chart-topper ever.
The song won Song of the Year at the 2026 BRITs, where he also collected Alternative/Rock Act again, and he was named Songwriter of the Year at the 2026 Ivors.
Honours
BRIT Awards
- Critics' Choice (2019)
- Alternative/Rock Act (2022, 2025, 2026)
- Song of the Year, Rein Me In (2026)
Mercury Prize
- Winner, People Watching (2025)
Ivor Novello Awards
- Best Song Musically and Lyrically, Seventeen Going Under (2022)
- Songwriter of the Year (2026)
Away From the Spotlight
Fender gave his entire £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to Music Venue Trust, and a per-ticket donation on his 2024 arena tour raised more than £100,000 for grassroots venues. He has also been a patron of the North East Homeless centre since 2022.
FAQs
How old is Sam Fender?
Sam Fender was born on 25 April 1994, so he is 32 years old as of October 2026.
Where is Sam Fender from?
He is from North Shields in Tyne and Wear, in the North East of England.
How many albums has Sam Fender released?
Three studio albums: Hypersonic Missiles (2019), Seventeen Going Under (2021) and People Watching (2025), all UK number ones. A fourth has been announced.
Did Sam Fender win the Mercury Prize?
Yes. People Watching won the 2025 Mercury Prize, and he donated the £25,000 prize money to Music Venue Trust.
How long was Rein Me In at number one?
Rein Me In with Olivia Dean had spent 23 weeks at UK number one by October 2026, the longest run in UK chart history.
Is Sam Fender touring in 2027?
Yes. The Proper Massive Stadium Tour includes St James' Park, Cardiff, Wembley, Dublin, Edinburgh and the Etihad Stadium in June and July 2027.
Shop the Sam Fender Collection
Our Sam Fender designs are fan-made tributes, printed to order here in the UK.
Sam Fender Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Sam Fender Men's T-Shirt
£29.99
Explore more in our Pop Music and Music collections. Want something personal? Try our Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Arctic Monkeys Career Story and Bruce Springsteen Career Story.
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