Sam Fender Invites a Busker to Play for 50,000 People in Newcastle
The Newcastle lad hit the jackpot of a lifetime, as Sam Fender once again showed that raw talent is what matters most to him.
A Newcastle busker lived out a dream on Thursday night when 
Sam Fender invited him on stage in front of 50,000 fans at St James’ Park. Far from overwhelmed, Joe Bartley embraced the moment, delivering a confident performance that won over the Geordie crowd instantly.
Joe Bartley—a local busker Sam noticed singing outside St James’ two years ago—made a lasting impression. That memory turned into a major opportunity when Sam invited him to share the spotlight.
Joe joined Sam for a duet of The Borders, a track that already hits hard but became even more impactful thanks to Joe’s standout performance.
His appearance came early in a night packed with emotion, energy, and even a few surprise moments—like footballer Dan Burn getting a burst of Pretty Green Eyes dedicated to him mid-show.
This is not the first time Fender give a spotlight to lesser known musicians. In 2024 Fedner invited a young fan on stage to play with him live in Manchester.
Fresh off his biggest show to date—an 80,000-strong crowd at London Stadium less than a week ago—North Shields native and Brit Award winner Sam Fender returned to his hometown for a run of three sold-out gigs at St James’.