Photo Credit:
Words: Sophie Thompson

Three years after walking off stage at Manchester’s AO arena due to a vocal injury, Sam Smith returned to the northern city for two sold out shows at the Albert Hall as part of a series of 10 intimate shows across Manchester and London celebrating the release of their fifth studio album ‘Hazel Eyes’. Smith swapped the scale of arenas for the historic surroundings of the Albert Hall which offered a much more personal setting for an artist whose latest release is heavily rooted in its vulnerability. 

Before Smith took to the stage Nyah Grace opened the stage with her ethereal vocals. Performing songs from her second album as well as her new track ‘I Look for Love’ she seemed completely at ease despite admitting that it was the biggest crowd which she had ever played to. One of the special aspects of the openers for Sam Smith’s To Be Free Tour is that each show has a different support act in collaboration with BBC Introducing to allow up and coming artists to showcase their talent. 

When the lights dimmed Smith appeared on stage accompanied by backing vocalists and a pianist opening the show with ‘Love is a Stillness’ it was a beautiful start to the show which put all focus on their latest album. 

With Hazel Eyes out to the world this was Sam Smith’s first show performing it to a live audience telling the crowd, ‘I’ve never been more proud of an album,’ later introducing the title track ‘Hazel Eyes’ as their favourite on the record. 

Yet, if anyone expected the show to be solely about their latest release, they were quickly proven wrong as Smith smoothly shifted through the eras of their career delivering fan favourites such as ‘I’m Not the Only One’ and ‘Lay Me Down’. The set became a celebration of every version of Sam Smith. 

“I feel like there’s a lot of love in the room right now,” Smith told the audience, before reflecting on their long-standing connection with the city. I can’t express to you enough how fucking happy I am to be here. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here and yesterday, I was just walking around the streets here and it hit me how much I love it here.” 

Smith went on to thank the crowd for supporting them “through everything, through all of my ups and downs”, adding that it felt “very special” to be back after so much had changed. 

The intimate setting of the Albert Hall only enhanced their greatest strength; their voice. Far away from the huge spectacles of arena shows every note felt raw and exposed allowing the power and emotion behind their voice to take centre stage. 

There can’t be many artists who can take a crowd from the quiet intimacy of a song like ‘Him’ and plunge them into the pulsating energy of ‘Unholy’ moments later. The contrast perfectly summarised the evening which refused to be defined by one mood. 

It was simultaneously a celebration of Hazel Eyes and a journey through Smith’s career and a heartfelt homecoming to a city they have clearly missed. Closing the night was ‘Stay with Me’ which provided one final singalong amongst the crowd which truly made it a night to remember. 

Sam Smith’s latest album, ‘Hazel Eyes’, is available to listen to here.