Sam Fender wants to perform with AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler.

Sam Fender wants to perform with AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler

Sam Fender wants to perform with AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler

The 30-year-old singer/songwriter got to meet the rockers, aged 76 and 74 respectively, for their new Sky Arts show, and opened up about how getting on stage with them was one of his dreams.

Referring to his and Brian’s shared north-England roots, he tells them on the ‘Johnson and Knopfler’s Music Legends’ series: “The first time I met you two it was bizarre. I think it is because both of you in my life have been myths, Geordie myths.

“We will have to ger back on stage together sometime.”

Glashow-born Mark replied: “We will definitely do that.”

Sam added about his love of Brian’s band: “I met a kid when he was eight and he gave me the AC/DC DVD of them playing at Dorington and we used to watch that all the time.

“That was the first live gig I used to watch as a kid and think, ‘I want to do that.’

“It is all Brian’s fault.”

Sam is set to headline the Boardmasters festival this summer after announcing in 2022 he was cancelling a string of concerts to look after his mental health.

Located across two sites – Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach – the event will run from 7 to 11 August.

Sam said two years ago he was pulling out of a number of gigs as he was suffering “burn out” from touring.

He posted the announcement on Instagram, saying it would be “completely hypocritical” of him to advocate for discussion of the topic without looking after his mental wellbeing.

Sam added: “My friends and colleagues have been worried about me for a while.

“I’ve neglected myself for over a year now and haven’t dealt with things that have deeply affected me.

“It’s impossible to do this work on myself while on the road, and it’s exhausting feigning happiness and wellness for the sake of business. My friends and colleagues have been worried about me for a while and it’s not going to get better unless I take the time to do so.”

Highlights of Sam’s career so far have included a Glastonbury Pyramid Stage show and winning an Ivor Novello award for best song for the title track from his album ‘Seventeen Going Under’.

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