Greggs has announced the opening of its first ever pop-up dive bar experience, in celebration of Geordie icon and Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt fan, Sam Fender, ahead of his homecoming gigs at St James’ Park in Newcastle next weekend.

It’s no secret that Sam is a huge Greggs fan - in 2022, Greggs filled Sam’s Brits “After Party Bus” with savoury delights to help celebrate his successes, and a few months later he was even seen sporting the Greggs X Primark clogs during his tour to the US.

Following the installation of a new logo at its Grainger Street shop in Newcastle earlier this week, Greggs teased the announcement by changing its profile picture across all social channels creating intrigue around what was to be revealed, with Sam also sharing to his 873k Instagram followers.

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Taking place across Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10, Fenders Unplugged will take over Greggs’ Grainger Street shop in the heart of Newcastle City Centre transforming it into an immersive dive bar experience.

Giving fans the ultimate pre-gig experience in true Geordie style ahead of Sam’s sold-out shows by celebrating homegrown, northeast talent, with a series of intimate performances some even selected by Sam himself.

Each session will last for 75 minutes, with complementary classic Greggs combos served up and washed down with Sam’s favourite drink, Newcastle Brown Ale.

Local talent confirmed to be taking the stage for the intimate acoustic sets includes hip-hop artist Kay Greyson, Bugman, The Peevie Wonders, Cortney Dixon, Chintzy Stetson.

The weekend has been long awaited for both Sam Fender fans and for Newcastle, as the gigs mark Sam’s first ever stadium shows and will make him the first Geordie musician in history to headline at St James’ Park.

Tickets to the events are free with 240 in total up for grabs and will be on sale from 10:00 GMT on Monday 5th June, accessible via a link on Greggs’ Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter channels.

Fenders Unplugged Schedule

Date: Friday, 9th June 2023 + Saturday, 10th June 2023

Timings: 12:00pm – 6:30pm

Price: Free

Address: Greggs 73-75 Grainger St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5JE

FRIDAY SESSIONS

SESSION 1 - 12:00pm – 1:15pm

SESSION 2 - 1:45pm – 3:00pm

SESSION 3 - 3:30pm – 4:45pm

SESSION 4 - 5:15pm – 6:30pm

SATURDAY SESSIONS

SESSION 1 - 12:00pm – 1:15pm

SESSION 2 - 1:45pm – 3:00pm

SESSION 3 - 3:30pm – 4:45pm

SESSION 4 - 5:15pm – 6:30pm