While dark clouds gathered over Somerset House and fans were caught in heavy rain as they waited for Sam Smith, it was clear by the frantic screams that he was welcomed with, that the Money On My Mind singer had hit them harder than the weather. Taking the crowd by storm (pun intended) on Friday the 18th of July which proved indeed to be the hottest day of the year, Smith put on an amazing first performance at the Somerset House in his hometown. Celebrity guests included Cara Delevingne, Suki Waterhouse and Nicola Roberts.
Smith started off his career as a singer by featuring in Disclosure and Naughty Boy tracks and has since surfed a tidal wave of silky, smooth tones and climbed his way to the top of the UK singles and albums charts. Often compared to Adele, Smith won the BRIT’s Critics’ Choice Award earlier this year just like she had and proved to be just as sensational.
Starting off the show with the beautiful ballad Lay Me Down, Sam went on to showcase chart-toppers like Leave Your Lover, Lay Me Down and Stay With Me, which was the highlight of the show as he was joined by the R&B star, Mary J. Blige. Mid-way through the set, a bolt of lightening struck which added to the electric atmosphere of the evening. The 22-year-old looked overwhelmed during his performance of I’m Not The Only One as he told his fans that it was the first time that the crowd was singing it back to him. It was clear that Sam felt right at home in the Somerset House courtyard as he admitted that he was no stranger to its neoclassical backdrop. There was even a touch of nostalgia in the air as he reminisced about his childhood experience of ice-skating at the venue with his father and siblings.
Looking dapper in his suit, Sam Smith successfully charmed his adoring fans with his mellow voice and heartfelt lyrics and they matched his every effort by singing along passionately to every song.
By Yashi Banyamadhub
