Sam Fender shares ‘Tyrants’ and reveals replacement for The War On Drugs as tour support
Sam Fender has officially released his new single ‘Tyrants’ and announced a replacement support act for his upcoming stadium shows after The War on Drugs withdrew earlier this week.
Last weekend, The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel joined Fender for the second half of his set at Coachella, including a performance of ‘Tyrants’. The track appeared on his Me and the Dog EP, which was released exclusively on vinyl for Record Store Day along with other tracks, ‘Empty Spaces’, and ‘I’m Always On Stage’, which are also not currently available to stream online.
Before playing ‘Tyrants’ with Granduciel, Fender told those in the tent, “This song is coming out on my birthday, which is in about a week. It’s called ‘Tyrants’.” He’s now delivered on the promise as he celebrates his 31st birthday.
However, Granduciel, who co-produced People Watching, will no longer tour with Fender this summer despite their recent union. The War on Drugs were due to support him in June at two shows in Newcastle at St James’ Park and also for one show at the London Stadium.
In a statement, they wrote on Facebook: “It is with great disappointment that, due to personal scheduling issues, The War on Drugs are unfortunately unable to perform with Sam Fender in London and Newcastle this June.”
Fender, who CMAT will still join at all dates, has now recruited Mercury Prize-nominated singer Olivia Dean to join the bill. Dean was previously set to perform with Fender at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park and at Edinburgh Summer Sessions, but will now also take to the stage for the stadium shows.
Earlier this year, People Watching became Fender’s third consecutive number one album in the UK and surpassed 100,000 sales within a week. In a four-star review, Far Out wrote of the new album: “People Watching is an album that does it all, showing each and every corner of Fender’s talent and ability, but especially shining a clear light on his unrivalled knack for boiling down huge topics into deeply personal, human stories.”
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.