North Shields Brit winner Sam Fender surprises punters with new song at Newcastle's Prohibition Bar

11.04.23 Sam Fender Prohibition Bar Credit: Daniel Gaffey
Musician Sam Fender delivered a surprise Easter treat to an unsuspecting audience at Newcastle's Prohibition Bar when he popped in to play a track from his forth-coming album. Credit: Daniel Gaffey

Imagine having a quiet drink in your local, and a Brit award winner starts to sing.

That's exactly what happened to punters at a busy bar in Newcastle on Easter Sunday, when musician North Shields singer-songwriter Sam Fender popped by for an impromptu performance of his latest song.

He took Newcastle's Prohibition Bar by surprise after captivating the crowd with the performance.

The Pink Lane speakeasy had billed the Easter Saturday event as an evening with resident jazz pianist, Merlin Roxby, but did not predict that a Brit award-winning singing star would end up as their bank holiday entertainment after he popped in for a "quick drink".

  • Video by Prohibition Bar/Daniel Gaffey

Venue owner Mitch Mitchell described how a hooded man sat among the audience and asked the resident pianist, Merlin Haxby, if he knew Sam Fender's Mess Around.

He showed Haxby a few chords before joining in and singing along.

It was not until he sat down at the piano that Fender removed his hood and a stunned audience fell silent as they realised the North Shields' singing star was performing in the intimate venue.

Mr Mitchell said: "This was a very special moment for us.

"By the time he finished playing he had the whole place captivated. He had the place jumpin'.

"You can hear the audience slowly fall into silence as Sam's unmistakable voice cuts through the chatter and his humble lyrics fill the room.

"What a beautiful song, which he said is about his grandparents. Such a canny, genuine lad and of course, so talented. A Toon treasure indeed!"

The North Shields singer had called in for a "quiet drink" with his band mate, Johnny Blue Hat.

Afterwards, he mingled with selfie hunters and "had a bit of banter with staff too."

Mr Mitchell said: "He was very casual - very laid-back. A humble guy."

Sam Fender was joined by his bandmate, Johnny Blue Hat on sax as they delivered an Easter treat to the unsuspecting bank holiday audience. Credit: Daniel Gaffey

Established in 2015, the roaring 20s themed Prohibition Bar describes itself as "the home of live music and cabaret."

It stands on the site of the former Jazz Cafe which was a notorious Newcastle venue from the 1950s onwards.

It was run by music promoter, Keith Crombie from 1990 - 2012 and his colourful character became the subject of film documentary "Geordie Jazz Man" in 2016.