History of Sam Fender in Timeline
Sam Fender is an English singer-songwriter and musician from North Shields. He gained recognition releasing independent singles from 2017. His music blends American traditional influences with British rock, marked by his tenor voice and Geordie accent. Fender is celebrated for his songwriting and has received five Brit Awards.
1 hour ago : Sam Fender & Olivia Dean's 'Rein Me In' Reigns Supreme on UK Charts!
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's collaborative track, 'Rein Me In,' has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the number one position on the UK charts for an impressive 12 weeks. This accomplishment highlights the song's popularity and impact on the music scene.
April 1994: Samuel Thomas Fender Born
In April 1994, Samuel Thomas Fender was born in North Shields, England, to Shirley and Alan Fender.
2011: Acting Debut in Vera
In 2011, Sam Fender made his acting debut in the pilot episode of the ITV drama series Vera.
2012: Appearance in Wolfblood
In 2012, Sam Fender appeared in an episode of the fantasy series Wolfblood, which first aired on CBBC.
November 2017: BBC Sound of 2018 Shortlist
In November 2017, Sam Fender was placed on BBC's Sound of 2018 shortlist, compiled by votes from critics, festival bookers, and DJs.
December 2017: BBC Music Introducing Session
On December 2, 2017, Sam Fender played a BBC Music Introducing session at Maida Vale Studios, gaining exposure.
2017: Singles express lived emotion
In 2017, Byrne argued that Sam Fender distinguished himself as "an artist interested in expressing lived emotion" when releasing his series of singles.
2017: Independent Single Releases
In 2017, Sam Fender began independently releasing several singles. This marked the start of his professional music career.
June 2018: Signing with Polydor Records
In June 2018, Sam Fender signed with Polydor Records, a significant step in his music career.
October 2018: "Dead Boys" Premieres and Performance
In October 2018, Sam Fender's single "Dead Boys" premiered as Annie Mac's Hottest Record in the World and he performed it on BBC's Later... with Jools Holland.
October 2018: "That Sound" Release
On 22 October 2018, Sam Fender released the single "That Sound".
November 2018: "Dead Boys" EP Release
On 20 November 2018, Sam Fender released his debut EP, Dead Boys, featuring the songs "Spice" and "Poundshop Kardashians".
December 2018: Touring and Recognition
In December 2018, Sam Fender embarked on a headline tour and was selected by Vevo to be a part of its Dscvr 2019 Artists to Watch series.
2018: First Appeared in UK Fashion Magazines
In 2018, Sam Fender first appeared in UK fashion magazines such as F Word and The Last Magazine.
2018: BBC Sound of 2018 & Polydor Signing
In 2018, Sam Fender was named one of the BBC's Sound of 2018. Furthermore, he signed to Polydor Records and released his debut EP, Dead Boys.
January 2019: Band Line-Up Completion and "Play God" Re-release
In January 2019, Sam Fender finalized his band line-up with saxophonist Johnny "Blue Hat" Davis and re-released "Play God".
April 2019: Model for Topman's "Suit Your Self" Campaign
In April 2019, Sam Fender was chosen as a model to front the "Suit Your Self" tailoring campaign for Topman.
August 2019: US Television Debut and Rolling Stone Recognition
In August 2019, Sam Fender performed "Will We Talk?" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, receiving recognition from Rolling Stone as a notable singer-songwriter.
September 2019: Debut Album Release and Chart Success
On 13 September 2019, Sam Fender released his debut studio album, Hypersonic Missiles, which topped the UK Albums Chart and sold 41,000 copies in its first week.
October 2019: North American Tour and Late Night Appearance
In October 2019, Sam Fender embarked on his second North American tour and appeared as the musical guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
December 2019: Bristol and Birmingham shows postponed due to respiratory infection
In December 2019, Sam Fender's Bristol and Birmingham shows were postponed to January 2020 due to a "respiratory tract infection".
December 2019: "All Is on My Side" Release and Album Certification
On 10 December 2019, Sam Fender released "All Is on My Side". By 13 December 2019, Hypersonic Missiles was certified Gold by the BPI for selling over 100,000 units in the UK.
2019: Writing poetry or just writing freeform
In 2019, Sam Fender told Billboard that he was entering a phase of writing lyrics first due to his enjoyment of "just writing poetry or just writing freeform".
2019: Recognition as Artist to Watch
In 2019, Sam Fender was included in The Irish News' list of "Who are the ones to watch in music".
2019: Brit Awards & Debut Album
In 2019, Sam Fender won the Critics' Choice Award at the Brit Awards. In addition to this, he released his debut album, Hypersonic Missiles, which reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
2019: Hypersonic Missiles album sound
In 2019, the album Hypersonic Missiles by Sam Fender manifested the sound of 1990s Britpop.
January 2020: Bristol and Birmingham shows cancelled due to chest infections
In January 2020, Sam Fender's Bristol and Birmingham shows were cancelled again due to chest infections, laryngitis, and tonsillitis.
February 2020: "Hold Out" Release and Brit Awards Nomination
In February 2020, Sam Fender released the single "Hold Out", described as the last from the Hypersonic Missiles era, and was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2020 Brit Awards.
April 2020: Postponed UK Tour
In April 2020, Sam Fender had to postpone his 13-date headline UK tour, initially scheduled for March and April 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 2020: Performed for Isolation Nation Live and participated in Live Lounge Allstars charity single
In April 2020, Sam Fender performed for Isolation Nation Live on LADbible's Facebook page benefiting the British Red Cross's COVID-19 relief efforts and participated in the Live Lounge Allstars charity single, a rendition of "Times Like These" by Foo Fighters, with proceeds donated to charities.
July 2020: Signed open letter to UK Minister
In July 2020, Sam Fender signed an open letter to Liz Truss, the UK Minister for Women and Equalities, advocating for a ban on all forms of LGBT conversion therapy.
August 2020: Performance at Socially Distanced Venue
In August 2020, Sam Fender was the first act to perform at the world's first socially distanced venue, the Virgin Money Unity Arena in Newcastle. He opened the show with "Will We Talk?" and played three unreleased songs.
September 2020: Face of Barbour International and Scotts Menswear campaign
In September 2020, Sam Fender was hired as the "face" of an eighteen-month motorcycle-inspired clothing campaign for British brand Barbour International and retailer Scotts Menswear.
November 2020: "Winter Song" Release
On 24 November 2020, Sam Fender released the single "Winter Song", a cover of a 1970s track by Lindisfarne, which premiered as Annie Mac's Hottest Record in the World.
December 2020: Launched Petition for Free Helplines
On December 4, 2020, Sam Fender launched a petition to urge all UK councils to stop phone charges for helplines for vulnerable groups in the North East of England. By December 21, 2020, the petition reached 16,500 signatures, leading six councils to drop phone charges.
July 2021: "Seventeen Going Under" Release
On 7 July 2021, Sam Fender released "Seventeen Going Under" as the lead single and title track of his second studio album.
September 2021: Contributed a cover of Metallica's "Sad but True"
In September 2021, Sam Fender contributed a cover of Metallica's "Sad but True" for the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, with half of the proceeds going to Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation and the other half to the Teenage Cancer Trust.
October 2021: "Seventeen Going Under" Album Release and Chart Success
On 8 October 2021, Sam Fender released his second album, Seventeen Going Under, which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. It shifted 44,000 copies in its first week, with 79% being physical sales, outselling the rest of the top 10 albums combined.
November 2021: Lindisfarne Documentary
On 26 November 2021, Sam Fender presented a documentary on the life of Alan Hull, titled Lindisfarne's Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story, which featured contributions from various artists.
December 2021: Rising Stardom and Vinyl Success
In December 2021, The New York Times highlighted Sam Fender as "fast becoming one of Britain's biggest rock acts", while Seventeen Going Under was the eleventh best-selling vinyl album of 2021 in the UK.
December 2021: Volunteered at Newcastle West End Foodbank
On December 19, 2021, Sam Fender went to help out at the Newcastle West End Foodbank after being invited by The Big Issue.
2021: Seventeen Going Under Album
In 2021, Fender's trademark guitar arpeggios are played on the album Seventeen Going Under alongside Thompson and Atkinson, creating "movement" to the main chord progression.
2021: Created Clothing Line with Barbour International
In 2021, Sam Fender created his signature clothing line in partnership with Barbour International and launched it in April of that year via Scotts Menswear.
2021: Expressed Interest in Future Acting Roles
In 2021, Sam Fender expressed interest in the possibility of pursuing acting roles in the future.
January 2022: "Seventeen Going Under" Peaked on UK Singles Chart and Brit Award
In January 2022, "Seventeen Going Under" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. Also in January 2022, after 25 weeks on the chart, Fender received the Brit Award for British Rock/Alternative Act the following month at the 2022 Brit Awards, dedicating the win to the North East Homeless centre.
March 2022: Limited edition turntable signed by Fender released
In March 2022, Rega Research released a limited edition turntable signed by Sam Fender as part of the Record Store Day event, with sale proceeds donated to War Child UK.
May 2022: Performed at Newcastle City Hall to raise money for the North East Homeless centre
On May 24, 2022, Sam Fender performed at Newcastle City Hall to raise money for the North East Homeless centre, raising £133,725 through a ballot ticketing system to enable the centre building renovation.
July 2022: Special Guest for The Rolling Stones
On July 3, 2022, Sam Fender appeared as a special guest for The Rolling Stones at British Summer Time Hyde Park.
September 2022: Cancelled US Tour to Focus on Mental Health
On September 12, 2022, Sam Fender announced he was cancelling the remaining dates of his US tour to focus on his mental health.
September 2022: Announces First Headline Stadium Show
On September 2, 2022, Sam Fender announced his first headline stadium show for 2023.
November 2022: "Seventeen Going Under" certified double platinum
In November 2022, Sam Fender's single "Seventeen Going Under" was certified double platinum by the BPI for 1.2 million UK sales.
2022: Harry Styles's "Harry's House" Album
In 2022, Harry Styles's album Harry's House was released.
2022: Entered Sunday Times Rich List
In 2022, Sam Fender entered the Sunday Times Rich List for the first time, ranking him 12th on the list of Young music millionaires in the UK.
2022: Brit Award Win
In 2022, Sam Fender won the Brit Award for British Rock/Alternative Act. This recognized his achievements in the music industry.
2022: Dating Rumors with Rosa Collier
Media reports suggested that Sam Fender had been dating London-based actress Rosa Collier since 2022.
May 2023: Opened for Springsteen in Italy
In May 2023, Sam Fender opened for Bruce Springsteen at two shows in Italy.
June 2023: Headlined two shows at St James' Park stadium
On June 9 and 10, 2023, Sam Fender headlined two shows at Newcastle's St James' Park stadium, attended by 100,000 people in total, injecting £15 million into the local economy.
November 2023: Signed Gaza ceasefire letter
In November 2023, Sam Fender signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
January 2024: Featured on Noah Kahan's song "Homesick"
On January 19, 2024, Sam Fender was featured on the song "Homesick" from Noah Kahan's album Stick Season.
August 2024: Played Unreleased Songs at Plymouth Show
On August 3, 2024, Sam Fender played two unreleased songs, "People Watching" and "Nostalgia’s Lie", at an intimate show in Plymouth, marking the live debut of the tracks.
October 2024: Announced People Watching Tour
On October 18, 2024, Sam Fender announced his People Watching Tour, with dates across the UK and Europe.
November 2024: Teasing "People Watching" Release
In November 2024, Sam Fender began teasing the release of "People Watching" on social media, inspired by the death of someone who was like a "surrogate mother" to him. The single was released on November 15, 2024.
December 2024: People Watching Tour kickoff in Ireland
In December 2024, Sam Fender's People Watching Tour kicked off in Ireland, followed by UK shows.
December 2024: Released "Wild Long Lie" single
On December 2, 2024, Sam Fender released the single "Wild Long Lie".
January 2025: Released "Arm's Length" single
On January 24, 2025, Sam Fender released the single "Arm's Length".
February 2025: Released "Remember My Name" featuring Easington Colliery Band
On February 14, 2025, Sam Fender released "Remember My Name", featuring Easington Colliery Band, with an accompanying music video starring Dave Johns.
February 2025: Released "People Watching" album
On February 21, 2025, Sam Fender released his third studio album, People Watching, which became his third to chart at number 1 on the UK Albums chart.
March 2025: Performed across Europe
In March 2025, Sam Fender performed across Europe as part of his People Watching Tour.
April 2025: Performed at Coachella with Adam Granduciel
In April 2025, Sam Fender performed on Coachella's Mojave Stage, with Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs joining him as a special guest.
June 2025: Collaborated with Olivia Dean on "Rein Me In"
In June 2025, Sam Fender collaborated with English singer Olivia Dean on a new version of his track "Rein Me In". The song was performed live for the first time on June 6 at Fender's sold-out show at London Stadium, with Dean as a supporting act, and was also performed the following week at St. James' Park in Newcastle.
August 2025: Supported Palestine at Denmark concert
In August 2025, at a concert in Denmark, Sam Fender brought out activists, including Greta Thunberg, to voice support for Palestine.
October 2025: Mercury Prize Awarded
In October 2025, Sam Fender was awarded the Mercury Prize for his third studio album, People Watching.
November 2025: Contributed to protest album 'Is This What We Want?'
In November 2025, Sam Fender contributed a silent track to the protest album 'Is This What We Want?', which called on the British government not to legalise music theft for the benefit of AI companies.
November 2025: Released Concert Film for People Watching Tour
In November 2025, Sam Fender released a concert film for the People Watching Tour in partnership with YouTube. The performance was recorded on June 6 at London Stadium.
December 2025: Deluxe Edition of People Watching Released
On December 5, 2025, Sam Fender released the deluxe edition of the album People Watching, which included the singles "Rein Me In" and "Talk to You".
2025: Comments on "white boys from nowhere towns" drawn to Andrew Tate
In 2025, during an interview with The Sunday Times, Sam Fender commented that "white boys from nowhere towns" are increasingly drawn to figures like Andrew Tate because they feel "shamed" for privileges they do not recognise. He later clarified his remarks, saying young men encounter influencers online while seeking role models.
2025: Donated Mercury Prize winnings to Music Venue Trust
In 2025, following his Mercury Prize win for People Watching, Sam Fender donated his entire £25,000 prize to the Music Venue Trust, which helped support 38 grassroots music venues across the UK.
2025: Confirmed Relationship
In a 2025 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Sam Fender confirmed he was "seeing somebody" after media reports had suggested he had been dating London-based actress Rosa Collier since 2022.
February 2026: "Rein Me In" became UK number one single
In February 2026, "Rein Me In", Sam Fender's duet with Olivia Dean, became his first UK number one single after 35 consecutive weeks in the UK Top 40.
April 2026: Donated to AutismAble
On April 19, 2026, it was announced that Sam Fender had donated £25,000 from his People Watching Tour to AutismAble, a South Shields-based community interest company serving people with autism and learning difficulties. The donation was matched, providing a total of £50,000 to the organization’s "Future Collaborations" music outreach programme.
2026: First UK Number One Single
In early 2026, Sam Fender achieved his first UK number one single with "Rein Me In", a duet with Olivia Dean. This marked a significant milestone in his career.
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