Concert review: British pop star Sam Smith creates safe space for fans to unleash their inner freak

Sam Smith: Gloria The Tour in Singapore

Singapore Indoor Stadium
Tuesday

SINGAPORE – Much has changed since British pop singer-songwriter Sam Smith first performed over two nights in Singapore in October 2018 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The 31-year-old has undergone a significant personal journey in these five years.

Smith came out as gender non-binary in September 2019 and has since embraced a new era of unapologetic sexual liberation.

Judging by the thunderous applause that met Smith’s R18-rated, sold-out Gloria The Tour concert on Tuesday night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the fans are very much for all of it.  

Around a third of the 9,000-strong crowd were decked out in crimson horns, a reference to Smith’s Grammy-winning track Unholy.

After a short delay due to the heavy rain, the crooner took the stage around 8.20pm and effortlessly held court for the next 100 minutes. 

The set list of around 20 songs was an eclectic mix of hits new and old, with Smith – who uses the pronouns they and them – starting the evening with Stay With Me, a lovelorn ode to a romantic entanglement. 

Despite the woeful lyrics, the artiste, live band and backing singers kept the energy high throughout the gospel-inspired tune and the half-a-dozen or so orchestral ballads that followed, with most of the audience joining in for the choruses.

Front-loading these more melancholy songs meant that Smith could segue into dance-party mode later, starting with the empowering Diamonds. Taken off Smith’s third album Love Goes (2020), the track is about getting rid of an unfaithful lover.

Dancing With A Stranger, a duet with American singer Normani, had everyone on their feet despite a brief technical hiccup when the close-up screens flanking each side of the stage winked out for a full minute.

But, whether it was soulful crooning about intimacy and longing on Kissing You, a cover of the mid-90s track from British singer Des’ree, or declaring I’m Not Here To Make Friends on the disco-inspired tune of the same name, Smith’s vocals did not waver. 

The concert was a feast for both the eyes and ears. Smith made sure to cover the whole stage – which featured a giant golden figure in repose – with plenty of confident dance moves. 

And the singer donned multiple memorable gender-bending costumes, including a gold crystal-embellished bustier paired with white shirtsleeves and a black tie; a shimmering puffy silver-and-white ballgown; and a frothy, dramatic dark pink coat that managed to dwarf Smith’s imposing 1.88m frame. 

The infectious energy emanating from the stage made it clear that Smith’s team was out to make these last tour dates as fun as possible for themselves and the audience. 

As Smith declared: “The one thing I want you all to take with you tonight, and the one thing I want you to know about this show, is that it’s about freedom. It’s about accepting who you are and loving yourself, loving your friends and loving your family. Feel the love, enjoy yourself, let’s have a good time.”

The proceedings turned feral – though never out of control – in the final act, with the Afro-Caribbean beat-inspired Gimme. A dance crew joined Smith on stage for some spirited twerking and stayed there to shift the gig into a full-on burlesque bonanza.

The fans in Singapore were fully on board, thumping along to electronic dance anthem Latch and cheering wildly for the gleefully decadent and risque finale, Unholy.

It has been a tumultuous few years of self-actualisation for the award-winning music star, who has persevered even in the face of body-shaming and homophobia.

But, going by the horns, glittering red pitchfork and gyrating bodies accompanying Unholy, Smith plans to continue on the path of self-love and inclusivity without any fear – and without any apologies.