A massive meeting of musical minds was underway in London over the weekend, with Sam Fender teaming up with Gang of Youths frontman Dave Le’aupepe for a live cover of a Bruce Springsteen classic.
As NME reports, the live performance took place at London’s Alexandra Palace on Sunday night where Fender was performing a massive headline gig. As he opened the encore, he invited Le’aupepe onstage, with Gang of Youths having served as the support act earlier that night.
Kicking off the four-song encore, Fender and Le’aupepe shared a live cover of Springsteen’s 1984 track, “I’m On Fire”, with fans capturing footage of the performance. The stripped-back cover wasn’t the only Springsteen song played that night either, with Fender following “I’m On Fire” with “Dancing in The Dark”, which also appeared on 1984’s Born in The U.S.A. album.
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Le’aupepe’s appearance also comes just days after Gang of Youths announced the release of their forthcoming album, angel in realtime.
Described as eclectic – including influences ranging from American minimalism and contemporary classical to Britpop and drum n’ bass – the record is equally rooted in Le’aupepe’s Samoan heritage, with many tracks featuring samples from David Fanshawe’s recordings of indigenous music from the Polynesian islands and the wider South Pacific.
“I hope the record stands as a monument to the man my father was and remains long after I’m gone myself,” Le’aupepe explained. “He deserved it.”
While Gang of Youths will release their new album in February of 2022, the group also unveiled a headline tour for July and August of next year, with a series of arena shows set to serve as the band’s biggest gigs to date.
Gang of Youths’ angel in realtime will be released on February 25th, 2022, with pre-orders available now.
Gang of Youths – angel in realtime Australia/Aotearoa 2022 Tour
Saturday, July 30th, 2022
RAC Arena, Perth, WA
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, SA
Saturday, August 6th, 2022
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney. NSW
Friday, August 12th, 2022
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday, August 14th, 2022
Venue TBA, Hobart, TAS
More Info: A More Perfect Union
Tuesday, August 16th, 2022
Hunter Lounge, Wellington, NZ
Wednesday, August 17th, 2022
Powerstation, Auckland, NZ
Saturday, August 20th, 2022
Venue TBA, Brisbane, QLD
More Info: A More Perfect Union
Tickets to Australian shows on sale now.
Tickets to Aotearoa shows on sale now.
