Sam Fender Gives Philadelphia’s Fillmore A Big Slice Of Modern British Rock (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)

On Sunday night, Sam Fender brought the closing night of his People Watching tour to The Filmore in Philadelphia, as an ode to American rock and mainstream British Rock. The opening act of Young Jesus first took the stage with an hour-long set of Midwest emo and post-rock sound. John Rossiter, lead singer and guitarist, had an off-putting sound that made the audience less excited to see Young Jesus take the stage.   

Fender’s thick English accent can be heard in his songs, adding a sense of grittiness. His music is heavily influenced by American and British rock, as well as older musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, and Joy Division. 

Sam Fender played an array of songs from his more popular album, Seventeen Going Under (2021), and newer songs from People Watching (2025). As it was the first-ever performance in Philadelphia, he ran on stage saying, “Oh, Philadelphia, I have always wanted to play for you.” Backed by a full band that is not typically accustomed to rock bands. Fender, accompanied by guitarist Dean Thompson, Joe Atkinson on keyboard and synth, Tom Ungerer on bass, Johnny Davis on saxophone, Mark Webb on trumpet, and finally,  Drew Michaels on drums, made their set a memorable performance. 

The heavy lighting features and a well-organized stage with a band full of chemistry can be attributed to Fender’s newfound fame. With the themes of self-consciousness, loss, and coming of age in his songs, Fender revealed a very vulnerable side that was unexpected from this rockstar. 

Mid-show, Fender seemed to be slightly struggling with his guitar, and there was a moment where the audience didn’t quite understand what was wrong. Guitars were being switched around mid-song, and techs rushed on stage trying to help Fender. Candidly, after the song, Fender goes, “Well, I fucked up my own guitar solo and started too early like a real dickhead, huh?”. He then jokingly continued to the audience, “If you have video of that, please just delete it from your phones! I don’t want to go viral for not knowing how to play the bloody guitar”. No one in the venue questioned his guitar skills. Fender’s ability to shred the electric guitar was the fuel that kept the show going. It was mesmerizing to watch him go into another dimension that very few artists can do.

The audience was engaged throughout the performance in a sea of soccer kits. The sold-out show was packed tightly in the rather small venue. Fender brought the energy, and the audience absorbed it all. Audience members moshed, jumped around in the air, and continuously sang Fender’s lyrics back to him. The audience erupted to songs like ‘The Borders’, ‘People Watching’, and ‘Getting Started’. The power and intensity in Fender’s voice brought the songs to life.

The song that launched him into the spotlight, ‘17 Going Under,’ closed out the show. Before he started, he expressed his appreciation to the audience, saying, “I never thought I would have fans from across the pond. I cannot believe what an amazing crowd you have been. “For his encore, he played from his older discography, ‘The Dying Light’, ‘Something Heavy’, and ‘Hypersonic Missiles’. The set was around two hours from start to finish. 

Whether Sam Fender performs across the Atlantic Ocean or in Philadelphia, his heart is poured into his sets. Blending sounds of older American and traditional British rock, Fender is an undeniably talented artist who deserves his flowers for his American tour.