Sam Fender is set to play the Coachella festival later this year – but fans have warned he will have to face the ‘worse crowd’ of his entire career
Sam Fender has been warned by fans to brace himself for the “worst crowd of your entire career”. The North Shields-born artist, known for hits like ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ and ‘Get You Down’, recently revealed plans for a stadium tour in the UK, including performances at Newcastle United’s St. James’ Park and West Ham’s London Stadium next June.
Ahead of his sold-out tour dates beginning next month, fans have taken to Twitter to caution the 30-year-old musician about one audience in particular. In a tweet that has since gone viral, a fan shared a screenshot of the Coachella festival lineup, commenting: “Sam Fender are you ready for the worst crowd in your entire career.”
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Despite this, there’s optimism among supporters who believe Fender’s appearance at Coachella, where he is set to perform on April 12 and April 19 alongside acts like Clairo, Charli XCX, and Green Day, could mark a pivotal moment in his US career. One fan expressed confidence in Fender’s talent, saying: “No he’ll completely win them over, once they hear his outstanding voice. This is gonna be the start of him headlining Madison Square Garden.”
British acts have a history of tough gigs at the iconic Coachella festival, with Blur frontman Damon Albarn famously telling an indifferent crowd, “you’ll never see us again,” at last year’s event. One fan alluded to this, suggesting Sam Fender’s upcoming appearance could turn into a “blurchella pt2,” harking back to the tepid reception that the ‘Parklife’ hitmakers endured.
The Stone Roses also found Coachella’s audiences challenging, even withdrawing from their second set for the 2013 lineup, which saw Blur stepping in to replace them. Pulp encountered similar indifference during their 2012 reunion tour, although they’ve since made a comeback and are slated for Sheffield’s Tramlines festival.
Coachella 2025 promises a strong British and Irish presence with The Prodigy, Pete Tong and Kneecap on the bill. International headliners include Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone, promising an eclectic mix over three weekends at the desert festival. Sam Fender is expected to take the stage on April 12 and April 19, while The Prodigy are set for performances on April 11 and April 18.
