Sam Smith performed heartbreak hits like ‘Stay With Me’ and more during July 4 concert in Philly
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
It was a dance party inside Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center on the evening of July 4. All around the venue, audience members could be spotted out of their seats clapping and two-stepping in the aisles. One gentleman was so overcome with excitement, he frantically ripped his shirt off, swinging it above his head to the beat of the music.
No, Pitbull didn’t put on a second show after his Wawa Welcome America performance on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. These fans traded in the beach and barbecues for a different kind of artist — Sam Smith. Yes, you read that correctly. Despite his polished, trench-coat wearing appearance (not to mention impeccably polite British accent), that boy can move.
Joined by his incredibly talented band of musicians and backup singers, the 26-year old journeyed beyond the scope of a traditional singer-songwriter, commanding the stage and inciting audience participation, even during the most mournful breakup songs.
The anticipation of the crowd was palpable before Smith took the stage, on which a screen bore the hand-scripted message, “Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.” Typical Smith.
When the lights did go down and Smith appeared, crouched down in the shadows for added dramatic effect, a roar of applause and fangirl-esque screams erupted through Wells Fargo. As Smith began to croon out the lyrics to “Burning” off his 2017 sophomore album The Thrill of It All, his effortless, soulful riffs rang out in flawless, bluesy pitch.
Smith kept current with “One Last Song For You,” also off his 2017 release, before transitioning to “I’m Not the Only One,” one of several heartbreak anthems from his debut full-length In the Lonely Hour that put him on the Top 40 map in 2014.
Smith’s voice was like pure velvet, stretching to ranges unheard of in most of today’s pop music. Although he’s probably performed this track hundreds of times, not one word emitted from Smith’s mouth lacked emotion. It was clear he felt each lyric with every fiber of his being, and that passion translated to the audience.
During the pining ballad “Lay Me Down,” it was as though every person in the crowd was suddenly coupled up. As Smith sang, “Can I lay by your side, next to you,” partners hugged and embraced. It was a truly touching moment, but single concert-goers may want to hit the restrooms during this chunk of the show.
The evening continued with an angelic performance of the gospel hymn “His Eye is on the Sparrow” by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, followed by the 2015 Disclosure hit “Omen,” which featured Smith on the R&B dance track. Smith then transported fans to the days before he became an international sensation, singing “Nirvana” and “I’ve Told You Now” off his debut EP Nirvana, released in the United Kingdom in 2013.
The mood of the show took a darker turn during the powerful “Writing On The Wall,” which Smith recorded for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre.
“That was pretty fking dramatic,” he said lightly, chuckling as if he hadn’t just poured his heart and soul onto the stage moments prior.
For anyone sitting down at this point, the next block of songs got them back on their feet. “Latch,” Smith’s second Disclosure collaboration of the night, and “Money on My Mind” received a great response from the crowd. But it was nothing compared to what came during “Like I Can,” which is possibly Smith’s catchiest track to date.
Within the song’s 3–4 minute timespan, Smith was the epitome of a seasoned performer. Not only did he lead a venue-wide sing-a-long, during which fans belted at the top of their lungs, “He’ll never love you like I can, can can,” but also an impromptu dance lesson. Surrounded by his backup singers and guitarist (who didn’t stop playing), Smith grooved to the music, breaking out simple yet entertaining two-step choreography as he made his way to each side of the stage.
After another In the Lonely Hour hit, “Restart,” Smith dedicated the latter portion of his set to tracks off The Thrill of It All. Each song, including “Baby You Make Me Crazy,” a fun, light-hearted twist on the typical heartbreak song, and “Say It First,” proved Smith’s new work hasn’t strayed far from what fans initially fell in love with.
Before jumping into “One Day at a Time,” Smith shared the backstory of what inspired the track, something he hadn’t done until that point in the show. Going into the studio one day, Smith had a revelation — he needed a break from breakup songs.
“I didn’t want to write about him anymore,” he said of an ex.
The result was an inspiring, relatable song about his friends back home in London, which chronicles unforgettable memories of hanging out and drinking by the river. Two more current tracks followed — “Midnight Train” and “HIM” — before Smith gave fans something they had been waiting for the entire night. “Too Good at Goodbyes,” Smith’s comeback hit after a multi-year hiatus, earned the biggest reaction yet. Fans scream-sang the lyrics to this emotional yet earworm-inducing song and, yes, one even ripped off his shirt.
One quick wardrobe change later, Smith appeared on an exquisitely-designed golden staircase, donning a rich, burgundy trench coat for a stunning rendition of “Palace” with one of his backup singers. After carefully descending to the stage floor, he performed the hit that once flooded American Top 40 radio airwaves — “Stay With Me.”
The encore and nearly two-hour setlist concluded with “Pray,” a strong testament to the artist’s religious upbringing. Before Smith parted ways with his Philly fans, he instilled a few words of wisdom he hoped they’d carry to post-concert July 4 celebrations and beyond.
“Love is love.” ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
