Sam Fender brought his Scottish fans an early Christmas present by performing a storming set at the city’s Hydro tonight – despite the fact he was battling the flu.
The star admitted his condition as he stepped onto the Finnieston stage after opening up the first of two city nights with Dead Boys.
Getting Started quickly followed before Borders when Fender declared: “I used to live in the borders of Scotland when I was a bairn. Scotland is a second home.”
Clearly struggling, he then said: “I want to apologise in advance. My voice isn’t up to it tonight but I’m giving my best.
“I was lying in bed and I said there is nae way I’m f***ing missing the Hydro.”
He added: “It’s f***ing typical. Everything was soaring for days and days.”
READ NEXT: I saw Nile Rodgers and CHIC at Glasgow’s Barrowland – my verdict
READ NEXT: Sam Fender covers Scottish band’s song during TRNSMT set
READ NEXT: Sam Fender declares Scotland his second home during TRNSMT set in Glasgow
But despite the self-criticism, there was no way the Scottish fans were missing out on Fender whose voice sounded incredible – although not perfect by his standards.
His determination to deliver a good show shows you the calibre of artist he is and why he easily commands two nights in a row at the city’s biggest music venue.
Will We Talk? proved to be a crowd-pleaser before the fans went wild for People Watching.
Teasing by singing the chorus, the 30-year-old Geordie smiled as he hit every note the way he wanted and he beamed: “I definitely don’t need you for this.”
But that didn’t stop his Hydro fans from joining him on every other hit as they sang in unison throughout including on the rock anthem Spice.
Down to earth, likeable, and a man of the people, Fender knows how to command an audience with his banter, raw songwriting talent, and the prowess of his voice which has a tone like no other.
Get You Down, Spit of You, and the Fender anthem Seventeen Going Under finished off the set in spectacular style while Hypersonic Missiles and The Dying Light proved to be highlights.
Fender signed off: “Glasgow, I f***ing love you so much. Thank you.”
