The two new songs, titled ‘People Watching’ and ‘Nostalgia’s Lie’, are set to feature on Fender’s upcoming album which is as yet untitled. ‘People Watching’ made its live debut as the fourth song in the setlist, while ‘Nostalgia’s Lie’ was placed between ‘Spit Of You’ and ‘Alright,’ marking the 12th slot in the line-up. Fender also included a cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ ‘Love Is A Long Road,’ as well as delivering the expected favourites ‘Seventeen Going Under’ and ‘Hypersonic Missiles’.
Video credit George Baker on YouTube.
The 30-year-old Fender native has been teasing his third album throughout the year, hinting at a more considered and polished approach compared to his previous releases. Speaking on Sky Arts’ program ‘Johnson and Knopfler’s Music Legends’ in April, Fender emphasized the importance of taking his time with this project. “We have been recording and recording and making loads of stuff, but it got to the point where I thought, ‘We don’t need to get this out yet. We need to get it right,’” he said.
“For the second one [Seventeen Going Under], we rushed to get that out, and with the third one, we started rushing and I thought, ‘No, we have got to take the time,” he said on the Sky Arts program.
Fender has also kept fans on tenterhooks regarding possible collaborations on the upcoming record. The singer recently confirmed studio sessions with Adam Granduciel of The War On Drugs, fuelling speculation about a style-bending feature on the as-yet untitled LP, following a collaboration with US singer-songwriter Noah Kahan earlier this year.
Despite the lack of concrete release details for the new album, Fender has kept fans’ anticipation alive for some time. During his sell-out shows at Newcastle’s St James Park in 2023, he provided QR codes for pre-orders, promising a release “sometime next year.”
Following the Plymouth Pavilions gig, Fender took to X to express his excitement and hint at more live dates. “Wow, that was rapid. More dates coming soon x,” he wrote, leaving fans eagerly speculating about future performances. Fender will next headline the Boardmasters Festival in Newquay on Saturday night.
