After years of playing massive arenas, Sam Smith did something unexpected this week. They stripped everything back for an intimate performance at Warsaw, a small Brooklyn venue that holds just a few hundred people.
It’s hard to believe, but Smith has been one of the biggest names in music for over a decade now. We’re talking billions of streams, multiple Grammy wins, and sold-out arena tours across the globe. But on Wednesday night, they traded the spectacle for something more personal.
Smith opened up about their journey, explaining how they jumped from small clubs to massive arenas almost overnight when they were just 21. While they loved those arena shows, the ones that really shaped them as an artist were the intimate gigs in rooms designed for music, rooms exactly like Warsaw.
The whole concept of their “To Be Free: New York City” residency (running for 24 nights) is about getting back to basics. No flashy costumes, no elaborate stage setups, just Smith, a small band, and that incredible voice we all know.
One of the most memorable moments came when Smith did something really cool—they let the crowd take over vocals on some songs. During one particular moment, the band went quiet and the audience sang an entire song back to them. You could see how moved Smith was, watching hundreds of voices come together perfectly.
Smith also shared a story that’s been weighing on them for years. After legal issues came up about their hit song sounding similar to a Tom Petty track, Petty sent them a handwritten letter before the Grammys basically saying “don’t worry about it, there’s only so many notes.” Smith, young and upset at the time, never wrote back. When Petty passed away shortly after, that regret stuck with them. To honor him, Smith performed a heartfelt Tom Petty cover, making peace with that moment.
The opening act, Sienna Spiro, came back on stage to sing with Smith, and it was something special. The two traded verses and harmonised together on an older Smith track, and honestly, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Their voices blended so naturally that people were quietly wiping away tears.
Smith also played several unreleased songs throughout the night, giving fans a preview of what’s coming. One new ballad about finally finding love after years of heartbreak really stood out, just After years of playing massive arenas, Sam Smith did something unexpected this week. They stripped everythingand a piano, hitting those notes that remind you why they’re so special in the first place.
But maybe the best part was just the whole atmosphere. In a world where concerts feel more like productions, this felt like you were in someone’s living room (if their living room could fit a few hundred people). Smith talked between songs, told stories, joked around, and created the kind of connection that’s impossible in a stadium.
