Sam Fender paid tribute to the man who used to run the pub that played a huge part in his music career, as he played his 'biggest gig yet' at Finsbury Park on Friday night.
Weeks after his stellar set at Glastonbury had music fans declaring him an 'instant icon' of Worthy Farm, North Shields rock star Sam and his talented band had another career defining moment when they played to a massive crowd in the famous London park. The gig was so big that Sam and his team decided to have two stages, which were home to an array of different acts.
Sam's support acts included Newcastle rapper Kay Greyson and Heidi Curtis, the North Shields singer who has been supporting him on tour, as well as opening for other acts like Paolo Nutini and Gerry Cinnamon.
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And it wasn't just the musicians Sam had on the bill with him that gave a firm nod to home turf; one of the stages was called the John O'Keefe Low Lights Stage, after the man who ran the Seventeen Going Under hitmaker's favourite boozer, before his death earlier this year.
The Low Lights Tavern was the pub a Sam was performing in when music manager Owain Davies walked in, and was so impressed by the then teenager, that he told Sam he wanted to work with him.
John's niece Jess was among the many fans who reacted to the poignant gesture, with her sharing the event flyer on Twitter and adding: "The John O’Keefe Low Lights Stage. What a tribute. Uncle John would be so smug."
Tyne Idols, who run themed bus tours around Tyneside, also heaped praise on Sam for the move, posting: "This such an epic touch to tomorrows #FinsburyPark show…the John O’Keefe Low Lights Stage."
The Low Lights Tavern was the first place Sam and his band went after heading back from London after their win at this year's Best Rock/Alternative act. Having had his Brits Critics Choice trophy from 2019 turned into a beer bump at the pub, Sam kept his promise for the Rock statue to go the same way.
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