Live Report: Sam Fender blows Malahide Castle away with electric performance

A busy weekend in Ireland’s music calendar closed in Dublin on Sunday, as 20,000 fans descended on Malahide Castle to see Sam Fender. The Newcastle native has built up something of a cult following here in Ireland, with more Newcastle jerseys in North Dublin last night than you’d expect to see on gameday in St. James’ Park.

A feverish crowd was warmed up by the brilliant Wunderhorse. Set to play in Dublin this October, Jacob Slater and his band doubtless earned a few more listeners after a fierce supporting performance on the Malahide stage.

Wunderhorse supporting Sam Fender at Malahide Castle. Sunday 25th of June 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

As Sam Fender entered the stage, the heavens opened and rain poured down on the expectant crowd. It did little to dampen spirits however, as Fender’s ‘Will We Talk’ had the crowd at near hysteria already.

‘Getting Started’ followed as a glorious rainbow crowned Malahide, and a blue sky reemerged above the crowd's first effervescent rendition of 'Ole Ole Ole'. The first ten minutes of Sam Fender’s show were a perfect summation of what you could expect from Irish weather, as well as an Irish crowd.

Sam Fender at Malahide Castle. Sunday 25th of June 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

‘Dead Boys’, ‘Mantra’ and ‘The Borders’ slowed the tempo slightly, but Fender reignited the crowd's excitement only moments later with ‘Spice’ and ‘Howdon Aldi Death Queue’. Both songs prompted wild scenes with frenzied mosh pits popping up across the field.

“Fuck me, you guys are mad cunts. Let’s do that again,” joked Fender, amazed at the crowd’s boundless energy.

Sam Fender at Malahide Castle. Sunday 25th of June 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Fender then played two songs off his newest album, ‘Get You Down’ and ‘Spit Of You’. The latter is a beautiful tribute to his Dad, and the visual display showed a collection of old family photos. Amongst many chaotic moments last night, it was a poignant and touching one, and shows why Fender has endeared himself to so many.

Fender set the venue alight with a cover of Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, before renditions of ‘Alright’ and ‘The Dying Light’.

Sam Fender at Malahide Castle. Sunday 25th of June 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

After a brief encore, Fender played his newest tune ‘Wild Grey Ocean’, before a gorgeous cover of Bruce Springsteen’s iconic ‘Dancing In The Dark’. Fender did his childhood hero justice, displaying stunning vocals on the cover. Fender then performed crowd favourite ‘Seventeen Going Under’.

“Are you ready to go mental one more time?” Fender teased, before playing out the night with smash hit ‘Hypersonic Missiles’. Fender and co. left the stage to rapturous cheers and applause from an audience who could not have asked for a better performance.

Sam Fender at Malahide Castle. Sunday 25th of June 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Fender played for over an hour and a half, with the full display of lights, visuals, fireworks and confetti putting the cherry on top of an incredible performance. Fender’s six-piece band played a triumphant 16-song set beside him, and Fender himself captured the plaudits as one of the best performers on the music scene right now.