The song will feature on the deluxe version of his Mercury Prize-winning album ‘People Watching’
By Damian Jones 21st November 2025
Sam Fender performing at Reading 2023. Credit: Andy Ford for NME
Sam Fender has shared his new single ‘I’m Always On Stage’ – check it out below.
- Read More: Sam Fender – ‘People Watching’ review: reflective and perceptive indie rock from North Shields’ shining star
The mellow track finds the North Shields singer-songwriter in a reflective bitter mood as he sings: “If you see me smiling it’s forceful and violent / Oh, it’s still there, though, in the silence / ‘Cause I’m always on stage,” over a gentle guitar.
AdvertisementThe song is a taster from the deluxe version his Mercury Prize-winning album ‘People Watching’, which is out on vinyl and CD on December 5 via Capitol Records. You can pre-order it here.
It previously featured on on his Record Store Day vinyl EP ‘Me And The Dog’ and is one of eight extra tracks on the deluxe version of his third LP.
The single follows his collaboration with Elton John, ‘Talk To You’, which was shared last month and also features on the record.
The album also includes two more previously unheard tracks – ‘Fortuna’s Wheel’ and ‘The Treadmill’. The extra recordings also feature the song ‘Rein Me In’ with Olivia Dean.
RecommendedElsewhere, Fender recently donated his Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust (MVT), while highlighting the importance of “struggling” small gig spaces in the UK. The funds will support the charity’s ongoing work to protect and secure the future of such live music spaces across the nation.
“I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out,” he said. “These venues are legendary, but they are struggling.”
Last week, he also shared shared his ‘Live At London Stadium’ concert film. It captures the Mercury Prize-winning artist playing his biggest gig to date at the 82,500-capacity venue as he kicked off his huge UK summer stadium tour back in June.
The gig was also his first stadium headline date outside of his hometown of Newcastle, and saw him bring out support act Olivia Dean for a rendition of ‘People Watching‘ track ‘Rein Me In’, marking the first time the two singers had joined forces on stage. The track was later officially released.
AdvertisementLive at London Stadium was directed by Toby L & Kit Monteith and is produced by Up The Game.
NME gave ‘People Watching’ a four-star review upon its release in February, writing: “Feeling existential, uprooted and disconnected from his old working-class life thanks to his rapid rise to fame, the British guitar hero channels it all into his gorgeous third album.”
