Sam Fender has teased a big return to the airwaves with a cryptic countdown on his website, plus digital artwork popping up outside several major UK gig venues.
The Seventeen Going Under star hasn’t released new music since his second studio album dropped in 2021.
So fans have gone into a frenzy today at the thought that we could be getting new music – and new tour dates – any day now.
He has told fans to ‘get ready’, with one timer counting down to the end of this week and another for a month’s time.
It appears that he’s teasing the release date of his new single People Watching.
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And then Sam Fender artwork has appeared at a couple of venues around the UK, including the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
There are also roving billboards travelling around his native North East today, and posters outside the O2 in London.
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And today a pair of giant eyes and his name have appeared on the side of Co-op Live in Manchester.
Sam Fender has already released a live version of People Watching, which he debuted at an intimate gig this summer.
He so far has two albums under his belt, including his debut Hypersonic Missiles, earning a Mercury Prize nomination for his 2021 release.
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After signing up to the countdown, Sam Fender fans received a message that says: “alreeet. thanks for joining. news very soon. make sure you’re following below x”
The other timer is pointing to an announcement on Wednesday 13 November.
Manchester musicians, celebrities and more are uniting to help save Salford Lads and Girls Club
Danny Jones
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Salford Lads and Girls Club is under threat and Manchester musicians, celebrities and other important local figures are uniting to help try and save it.
An absolute institution and the site of some of the most important moments in Manc music history, Salford Lads and Girls Club is sadly facing the risk of closure simply due to a lack of funding and the rising costs facing so many organisations around the country.
As the place where countless local artists attended as youngsters and played some of their first gigs, not to mention the same spot where the most iconic photo ever of legendary Manchester band The Smiths was taken, the importance of this location to our region’s culture cannot be overstated.
That being said and with the news that they need to raise serious finances to keep the club going, those who know full well how much it means are doing what they can to keep it afloat.
Much-loved DJ Mike Sweeney, AO founder and CEO John Roberts, The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess and local musician-turned-journalist John Robb from Louder Than War are among those calling for support.
In fact, 82-year-old Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills and Nash has already put money where his mouth is by donating £10,000 to the cause and his generosity has since been surpassed by Salford City Council themselves, who are setting aside a whopping £100k to help steer the club to safety.
As the constituency’s MP Rebecca Long-Bailey told the That’s TV network earlier this week, it is Salford Lads and Girls Club is “one of the most iconic buildings and organisations in Salford and it’s transformed countless lives with their activities.”
Be it the regular sports teams, music events, own charity fundraisers or their annual summer camp which has provided an outlet to generations of those less fortunate who may never have travelled outside their hometown without it, the club has had a huge impact on so many around Greater Manchester.
Indie-rock five-piece and fellow Mancunian band Rolla are also going out of their way to try and help the Grade II-listed by putting on a special one-off gig at the venue itself next month, with “every single penny” going towards keeping the doors open. It sold out almost immediately.
Whether you’ve ever been there or not, it’s evident how much people care about this place and it’s moments like these when the community bands together that we’re most proud to be Mancs.
We have until the end of November to save Salford Lads and Girls Club and with more than 120 years of history, heritage and culture behind it, letting it die out simply isn’t an option.
The fundraiser has now reached over £130,000 of their overall £250,000 target with the help of council money, so please donate to the official GoFundMe page HERE if you can and help do your bit by resharing wherever possible.
Since 1903, their motto has been “to brighten young lives and make good citizens” – those values aren’t going anywhere. Let’s make a difference.
Since 1903, football has been at the heart of @salfordladsclub, and today, our teams—especially our girls’ team—carry on that proud tradition.
The touching tributes paid to Liam Payne by his One Direction bandmates
Daisy Jackson
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All four surviving members of One Direction have now shared their own personal tributes to Liam Payne, with whom they spent their formative years in one of the world’s biggest boybands.
Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson have all spoken about the death of their bandmate, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of just 31.
Liam Payne rocketed to fame on the X Factor and subsequently with boyband One Direction, before branching out on a solo career when the group disbanded.
He was found dead in Argentina earlier this week after falling from a third-floor window.
The tragic news has rocked the world of music, especially the fans who grew up listening to and loving One Direction.
His former bandmates Harry, Niall, Louis and Zayn had previously issued a joint tribute as One Direction, but have now individually shared their own thoughts.
And they’re all pretty heartbreaking.
Niall Horan described Liam’s infectious energy and passion while Harry Styles explained that his greatest joy was ‘making other people happy’.
You can read all four tributes to Liam Payne from One Direction below.
Harry Styles pays tribute to Liam Payne
Harry Styles shared a photo of Liam Payne on stage with his tribute. Credit: Instagram, @harrystyles
I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing.
His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.
Niall Horan’s tribute to Liam Payne
Niall Horan posted this old photo of him and Liam Payne together. Credit: Instagram, @niallhoran
I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
Lian had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.
I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.
My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.
Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother.
Nialler
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Louis Tomlinson’s emotional tribute to Liam Payne
Louis Tomlinson paid an emotional tribute to Liam Payne. Credit: Instagram, @louist91
I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother.
Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.
Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.
A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life.
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I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.
I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X
Zayn Malik on Liam Payne
Zayn Malik and Liam Payne together as he joined the tributes shared by his One Direction bandmates. Credit: Instagram, @zayn
Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
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I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.
Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no fucks about telling people when they were wrong.
Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.
When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
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I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.
I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.
I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are.
Daisy Jackson -
15th October 2024 
