Latest news with #SamFender
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'World-class' recording studio planned for Newcastle Quayside
A new £1.8m "world-class" recording studio could be open by the end of the year. Newcastle City Council said it was hoping to home the four-storey facility in the Grade II listed Coronation Building, owned by the Live Theatre, on the East Combined Authority (NECA) has now agreed to fund the scheme using money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "It's about telling young people making music – you can do it here." As part of a report detailing the investment, NECA said north-east England had long struggled to attract investment from major music industry operators. Sam Fender was an "anomaly rather than the norm", it report said it was difficult to get private investment for such a "world-class music recording facility" in Newcastle due to "excessive upfront and operational costs". NECA said by funding this facility it would attract major talent, nurture local acts and drive economic growth. The space would also contain areas for filming and photography, as well as podcast studios. 'Cutting-edge space' Newcastle City Council leader Labour's Karen Kilgour said the facility would "cement the city's growing reputation" for its music scene."This is an incredibly exciting project, and while there is much still to do, we look forward to it getting off the ground," she local authority said it hoped the studios would be open by the end of the year, though the plans are yet to receive planning permission or listed building consent. Live Theatre head Jacqui Kell said the team was "thrilled" by the investment. She said: "[The money] will transform the building into cutting-edge creative space and attract major music talent to the city while supporting emerging local artists." Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sam Fender Newcastle concert: Young busker plays at St James' Park
A young busker said he struggled to keep it secret he was going to play on stage with Sam Fender. Joe Bartley often plays his guitar outside St James' Park before Newcastle United home games, but on Thursday he got the chance to perform inside during the star's opening 15-year-old said his performance - watched on by 50,000 fans - was organised about a month ago by the North Shields-born musician and their guitar teacher Phil Martin."It was hard to keep it quiet - I thought it would be better to keep it a surprise and have people be more shocked when they saw me up there," he said. Despite playing in front of his biggest-ever crowd, the young musician said it "felt natural" once he was on he did admit to feeling a little nervous before the gig. "We got to St James' at about five o'clock and I wasn't nervous all day," he told BBC Radio Newcastle's Breakfast with Matt Bailey."But five minutes before I came on, we came outside and I saw the ground was full and that's when the nerves really hit." Fender played three gigs at St James' Park on Thursday, Saturday and United defender Dan Burn was in the crowd during the first concert and his presence was noted by Fender, who then played a version of Ultrabeat's Pretty Green Eyes, with the lyrics changed to Toon fan favourite "He's from Blyth".Burn then repaid the favour by appearing on stage on Sunday, bringing with him the Carabao Cup, which Newcastle won earlier this year, in part to his opening appearing with Fender were members of the Easington Colliery Band from County Durham, who feature on the track Remember My Name - which is dedicated to his grandparents - on his People Watching album. Joe has become a favourite with Newcastle United fans as he can regularly be seen playing outside the ground and using his music to raise money for playing outside Sam Fender's concerts he has raised nearly £2,000 for the West End Food Bank and cancer support charity Maggie' student said his performance with Fender had only boosted his confidence and ambition as a musician."I don't want to copy [Fender]," he said. "I want to be my own thing and hopefully get in a band and take over the world." Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix's chilling new doc has cracked the top 10 already — and it's made me never want to attend a music festival again
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Live music is one of my greatest passions in life. Even as I write this article, I'm furiously refreshing my phone trying to score tickets for an upcoming concert, and my weekend plans? Seeing Sam Fender's huge homecoming show at my favorite soccer team's stadium. My summer breaks are typically filled with various music festivals as well. Yet after streaming Netflix's new documentary that chronicles the tragic events that unfolded at 2021's Astroworld festival during rapper Travis Scott's headline set, I suddenly feel a little hesitant to wade deep into a crowd of thousands of people again. The doc is called 'Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy,' and it explores the crowd crush that occurred during the Houston-based event attended by over 100,000 people. It resulted in the tragic deaths of 10 people, with 25 more hospitalized and injury numbers in the hundreds. Netflix subscribers are clearly responding to the documentary as well, with "Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy" breaking into the platform's top 10 most-watched list already. It currently ranks at No. 5 and with such a quick rise up the chart, I suspect it might dethrone Tyler Perry's "STRAW," which currently holds the No. 1 spot It's certainly not the most entertaining watch, even if the presentation is as slick as you'd expect from a Netflix original, but it's a feature-length doc that has impacted me, and if you're also a dedicated gig-goer, then I think you need to stream this right now. Like many documentaries of this ilk, 'Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy' begins with the 'happy period' as we see numerous Travis Scott fans give talking-head interviews expressing their excitement and anticipation for the upcoming concert at NRG Park in Houston, Texas. Anybody who knows what went down at Astroworld in 2021 will know what's coming next: a deadly crowd crush would lead to multiple fatalities, and I appreciate that the documentary filmmakers (who also made Netflix's excellent "Trainwreck: Woodstock '99") don't attempt to overdramatise the events. The tone is respectful throughout. I can't claim that 'Trainwreck' offers much in the way of entertainment, but it spotlights a tragedy that deserves to be remembered, and that the live music industry must learn from. The transition from people having fun at a gig to fighting for their lives is shockingly sudden, which likely mirrors the experience of attendees. The audio recordings of desperate 911 calls during the event are particularly stomach-turning and will deeply unnerve you. So while I can't claim that 'Trainwreck' offers much in the way of entertainment, it does spotlight a tragedy that deserves to be remembered, and that the live music industry must learn from. Because what happened at Astroworld can never be allowed to repeat itself. If you're a live music fan or just want to understand how the events of Astroworld unfolded, then I strongly recommend 'Trainwreck.' It's also a pretty trim watch, at around 80 minutes long, which is another strength; the doc presents the situation without unneeded bloat. In recent years, whenever I've attended a live music event (which, as noted, is extremely often), I typically find myself reflecting on Astroworld at some point, and this documentary gave me further insight into a tragedy that really did hit home with me in several ways. 'Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy' is a well-produced and very harrowing documentary, showcasing how what should have been a memorable evening for all in attendance descended into a situation where 10 people never got to return home. It's also the next chapter in what Netflix is calling the "Trainwreck anthology." The first part was the Woodstock '99 limited series, released in 2022, and there are six more documentaries on the way that will "examine some of the most disastrous events ever to blow up in mainstream media." If you're looking for something to raise your spirits after watching 'Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy,' be sure to check out our guide to everything new on Netflix in June 2025, which includes some more light-hearted TV shows and movies alongside more docs. Watch "Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy" on Netflix now New on Netflix in June 2025 Trainwreck: Woodstock '99 is my favorite Netflix show of the year Netflix just added a new dystopian drama
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Sam Fender hits the target at first of homecoming gigs
Sam Fender hits the target at first of homecoming gigs On the first of three hometown gigs over the weekend, the local hero held the 50,000 crowd in raptures, just like Eddie Howe's cup-winning side Sam Fender at St James Park Sam Fender had sold out St James' Park bouncing as if his beloved Newcastle United had put a fourth goal past Barcelona in the Champions League. On the first of three hometown gigs over the weekend, the local hero held the 50,000 crowd in raptures, just like Eddie Howe's cup-winning side. Touring the best-selling British album of the year, People Watching, Fender showed no sign of a hangover from playing in front of 80,000 at the London Stadium last weekend. Back on home turf, the 31-year-old came out on stage carrying a black and white striped guitar and immediately belted out Getting Started. Referring to his previous gigs at Newcastle United's cathedral on the hill in 2023, he told the crowd: "The last time we did this was like a complete fever dream. "This time I intend to drink in every f****** moment. Article continues below "Thank you so much for coming along." His tight band rattled through the hits in 90 minutes, plus 30 minutes extra time, with frequent reinforcements from the subs' bench, including 15-year-old busker Joe Bartley who received a rapturous send-off. Fender even had time to send a bit of banter towards Sunderland fans who showed their displeasure towards him at their recent Wembley play-off victory with a banner. He laughed: "That was the best thing I've ever seen." Along with the rousing rock, there were tender moments too, notably when he brought on the Easington Brass Band for the Remember My Name, dedicated to his grandparents. After a breathless version of Hypersonic Missiles to finish, Fender sent the fans away as delighted as if they had seen an Alan Shearer screamer from 30 yards out. Article continues below Final score, home win.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sam Fender superfan hyped for St James' Park gig
A Sam Fender superfan who has already seen the singer's current tour five times has said his hometown gig is going to be "one massive party".When asked by BBC Radio Newcastle how excited he was for the first of three gigs planned in St James' Park, Anthony Robson, from South Shields, said: "On a scale of 1 to 10, probably 100."He said it was Fender's lyrics which made him such a big supporter."I honestly believe his lyrics epitomise what it means to be a Geordie," he said. Mr Robson said there were "subtle undertones" to Fender's lyrics and he was "amazing live".He said he had seen Fender about 19 times in total, including his gigs in Manchester, Leeds and Amsterdam on the musician's current tour."I need more and more," he said. 'Rise has been incredible' Fender will take to the stage later, and again on Saturday and band supporting him will be Wallsend group The Pale White. Singer Adam Hope said he had known Fender for years. "We used to play gigs at the Linskill Centre in North Shields at buskers night," he said. "Watching his rise to stardom has been incredible."It's not everyday you get to play a stadium, let alone St James' Park." Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.
