Sam Ryder dazzles Essex crowds across three pop-up gigs

A large crowd gathered to watch the singer in Culver Square next to the HMV store shortly after 4pm this afternoon.

The former Eurovision contestant had announced he would do three spontaneous busking shows last night.

Prior to performing in the city, he performed in Chelmsford this morning and then the town where he was born, Maldon.

The exciting events were not only to raise awareness for his forthcoming second studio album Heartland which releases on October 17 but to mark his headline Wembley Arena show on November 6.

Big crowd - the audience in Colchester watching Sam Ryder (Image: Cameron Poole) A keyboardist joined Sam in the fenced-off stage enclosure and the crowd erupted in applause as he made his way to the area.

After the opening song, Sam said to the crowd: “God bless, this is so sick, are we feeling okay?

“Thank you so much for turning up, we put this out last night and visited three places in Essex which just mean the world to me.

“This is so cool, I’m going to reel off some songs.”

During the set he performed a range of covers and original material.

Artist - Sam Ryder (Image: Cameron Poole) The covers included songs like Hozier’s Take Me To Church, Sia’s Elastic Heart, and original songs such as Space Man.

For the latter - his Eurovision song which propelled him to stardom in 2022 - Sam told the crowd he wanted to see “absolutely everyone” getting the “high note”.

At the end, Sam thanked the crowd and said: “Bless you Colchester, this was amazing.”

After the concert finished, he stayed in the area and took the time to speak with fans, sign autographs and have photographs taken.

Fans from the city and beyond have praised his performance.

Barbara Gill, 42, of Colchester, attended with husband James, 44, and sons Toby and Seb.

Family outing - Barbara, James, Toby, and Seb Gill (Image: Cameron Poole) The mum of two said: “It’s a great thing for Colchester, when I saw it on Instagram, and when I mentioned it to my boys, they were very excited.”

Becky Pennell, of Colchester, was in the city centre with her dad Roger Smith.

She said: “I think it’s nice he’s come to the city, my daughter spotted it on Facebook, so we popped down to see what is happening.”

Roger said: “I admire him, he’s a local guy, coming to do his bit.”

Father and daughter - Roger Smith and Becky Pennell (Image: Cameron Poole) Sarah Hallows, 32, from Frinton, was meeting friends and wanted to watch Sam’s concert.

She said: “I think it’s awesome, he lives fairly local, so he certainly drums up enough attention.

“I think it’s nice we can showcase local talent in the city centre.”

Marnie Tuckwell, 12, of Didcot, Oxfordshire, is a self-confessed big fan of Sam and was visiting the city with her mum Claire Tuckwell, 38.

Fan - Sarah Hallows (Image: Cameron Poole)

Fan - Marnie Tuckwell (Image: Cameron Poole)Marnie said: “I really like his songs.”

Friends Aidan Plantts, 28, William Fisher, 28, of Mersea, and Jenny, 28, of Colchester, attended the show.

William said: “We came in to see him, we see his post on Instagram.

“I like his music, I don’t listen to it all the time but when it comes on, I enjoy it.

“It’s really cool, it’s nice to see he hasn’t forgotten his roots and is still in touch with the community.”

Friends Aidan Plantts, 28, William Fisher, 28, of Mersea, and Jenny, 28, of Colchester, attended the show (Image: Cameron Poole) Songwriter - another photo of Sam Ryder in Colchester (Image: Cameron Poole)