It’s been quite the year for Sam Smith. A relative unknown 12 months ago, he’s now a platinum-selling artist – and a star on both sides of the pond, leading the latest wave of the “British invasion” in the States.
Such is Smith's US success, it feels like a privilege to witness him on the UK-based dates of his ‘In The Lonely Hour’ tour. The latest stop on his homecoming is at the Hammersmith Apollo (the first of two dates) and there’s an air of celebration.
That feeling continues as Smith opens with EP favourite 'Nirvana' - accompanied by a near 10-piece live band. Pop music is named so because it’s popular. But this is more than pop - it's soul at its most infectious, illustrated by the sea of Londoners two-stepping to the funk-filled 'Restart'.
The Apollo is overflowing - this is easily a show worthy of the O2. But it's fitting that the grittier Apollo, steeped in history, hosts this show from one of London's finest. Smith remarks how he played the same venue a year ago, opening for the ubiquitous Emeli Sandé. Support act of the night, electro-pop outfit Years & Years, look set to tread a similar path to greatness. For an artist with just one album release to his name, the set is wall-to-wall hits.
From 'Leave Your Lover' and 'I'm Not The Only One' to 'Like I Can' and 'I've Told You Now', Smith's canon belies his years in the business. 'Lay Me Down' proves the showstopper; you simply cannot put on a show like this with a voice that is anything less than perfect - and the song shows that Smith's is faultless. There are of course nods to his arrival on the scene, as we're treated to soul-drenched renditions of 'Latch' and 'La La La', Smith's collaborations with Disclosure and Naughty Boy respectively.
Just when you think he's ran out of hits, the show closes with monster track 'Stay With Me' - and we're reminded just why Sam Smith is the name on everyone's lips. The 'In The Lonely Hour' tour sees Smith depart for the rest of Europe this month, before a string of US dates in early 2015.
With reports claiming he’s nailed on to release the next James Bond theme, who knows what he’ll have achieved by the next time he returns to these humble shores. The British boy done good.
Below: 14 brilliant photos of Sam Smith stunning Hammersmith Apollo
