Sam Smith presents new album The Thrill of It All at Tate Modern for Apple Music

Sam Smith’s much awaited return to the limelight, taking to the intimate stage of The Tanks at The Tate Modern, was everything that one could have hoped for: a soulful, heartfelt, and simply breathtaking performance to celebrate the release of his highly anticipated new album, The Thrill of It All.

Opening the set with the wildly popular Lay Me Down, it was clear that Smith would deliver a truly special show. The stage of The Tanks, the intimate feel of the lighting, and the emotion the singer-songwriter showed all lent themselves to give the concert a personal, almost one on one feel, as if he was singing to each member of the audience in turn. It did not take long at all before the entire audience sang with Smith on each song, with his genuine passion enthralling the room. 

Following into tracks from the new album, it was clear how much the event meant to the Grammy Award-winning artist. By taking the time to explain what went into each composition, he captured the small audience with lyrics of love and heartbreak in Midnight Train and One Last Song.

Smith’s voice was filled with a rare authenticity, clearly heard in the frank and honest lyrics of Burning which was accompanied by full choir, and Palace, which he wrote after imagining his heart as a palace of rooms filled with memories. The highlight of the performance must be had to be when he was joined on stage by Yebba for the powerful and enchanting No Peace. The English songwriter continued to captivate the room, mixing his softer, emotion-filled tones with the somewhat sharper, punchier lyrics from the up-and-coming singer made for a beautifully balanced duet that held in the room in trance.

The choir rejoined Smith and the band on the stage, and the audience raised their lights for a special rendition of the gospel-ballad Stay With Me, the smash hit that won the Grammy for song of year. The finish to the show was the newest single, and first track of the new album, Too Good at Goodbyes.

It is clear that time away from the spotlight has been good for Smith, and he is much happier by his own admission, but those hardships have served to fuel the emotion and fire that was plain to see in this exceptionally emotion and touching performance.

Connor James Ibbetson
Photo: Apple Music

For further information and future events visit the Sam Smith website here.

Watch the video for Too Good at Goodbyes here: