On Saturday night, as a crowd of nearly 12,000 flocked to Auckland’s Spark Arena, there was a buzz in the air, anticipation for what was about to be experienced. After all, Sam Smith has a voice that emerges once in a generation, yet no one could truly pre-empt the journey of emotions the 31-year-old singer would soon provoke.
From the moment the artist took to the stage, there was no doubt Smith had one goal: To captivate a crowd. If not for their eye-catching glitter-embellished suit and dramatic bustier, then most certainly for the jaw-dropping rendition of their gospel-inspired ballad Stay With Me.
With an array of chart-topping hits to choose from, it’s no surprise this was the show’s opener, the hook of all hooks. Having been released in 2014 as part of their hugely successful debut album In the Lonely Hour, Stay With Me is Smith’s most successful single to date, and debuted at number one on the charts in Britain, New Zealand and many other countries.
Now, almost 10 years after the emotionally charged tune - infamously inspired by “the morning after a one-night stand” - was released, the British singer carried themselves delicately and purposely. Performing jaw-dropping note after jaw-dropping note, they proved that like fine wine, their voice and ability to render song have aged well.
Sam Smith perfectly combined their equally feminine and masculine identity via this show-stopping glitter embellished suit and dramatic bustier. Photo / Getty Images
Following up with the equally compelling songs I’m Not the Only One and Like I Can, Smith, with an angelic grin on their face, paused and looked overwhelmed to be standing in front of a Kiwi crowd once more. “This is my third time in this room. I came here to your incredible country when I was 21 years old, and I tell everyone back at home, the minute I stepped off the plane, I felt something different here.”
They added, “Every time I’ve come back here, whether it’s for a show or for a holiday, it has just got better and better,” earning a deafening roar from the crowd.
But it was their slightly naughty confession that had the crowd really screaming at the top of their lungs - confessing the show was a particularly special one, Smith cheekily announced, “Excuse the pun, but this show is actually number 69, which is very fitting.
“It’s Saturday night and I want to have some fun,” the star giggled.
Fans get into the moment as Sam Smith performs at Spark Arena on November 11. Photo / Getty Images
And have fun they did. With the Auckland show marking the end of their Gloria world tour, it felt like the show could have gone either way. Earlier this year, the arena hosted the last show in Lizzo’s Special world tour, and it seemed the star was all too keen for it to be over. However, last night, Smith brought sass, passion, sex appeal and a feeling that so easily united every member of the sparkle-wearing crowd: joy.
“Please, everyone, have fun tonight, make friends, say hello to everyone around you. Let’s sing together, let’s dance together, and if you want, let’s get naked,” they smirked, letting the words hang in the air for a millisecond. “I’m joking.”
But the star was only sort of joking. Splitting their impressive show into three themes - love, beauty and sex - Smith sprinkled lust throughout their show.
From a glittery corset to dance moves that belong in a club after midnight and a voice so seductive concert-goers will be thinking about it for years, the singer’s show was a replica of not only their personal and professional evolution but also their fourth studio album, Gloria, which encapsulates “emotional, sexual and spiritual liberation”.
Going on to play their most recognisable hits, How Do You Sleep?, Dancing With a Stranger and Lay Me Down, Smith shocked the crowd when after Love Goes, their dancers changed up the tempo with a Beyonce-level twerk, sending gasps and cheers throughout the arena.
Appearing in another of their eight outfit changes of the night, the singer made it clear they were no longer the 21-year-old heartbroken singer we originally fell in love with in 2014, but a pop princess of sorts, urging us to lean into the naughtiest, youngest, most carefree version of ourselves.
Showcasing a steamy kiss between two dancers - that yes, included tongue and all - the concert also saw cheeky bum taps and dancers flirting with the crowd. “I want you to pretend like you’re out, like this is one big gay bar,” Smith demanded.
Finally reaching the “sex” theme of the evening, Smith appeared first resembling a biblical figure, with a long white veil covering their body, to sing the harmonious gospel track Gloria, created not only to show off but to test the star’s vocal abilities. Then, things turned sinful.
As if symbolically shredding their old self, Smith threw off the veil to reveal fishnet stockings, knee-high lace-up boots, red gloves, nipple tape and perhaps the raunchiest item of all, a sequined G-string.
Performing Unholy, the night wrapped up with dancers licking Smith’s skin, a devil-horned hat and a sex-filled atmosphere, leading one to consider that from saints to sinners and all the soulful ballads in between, Auckland’s Spark Arena may have just seen the most memorable and sexiest show in its history.
Sam Smith identifies as a non-binary individual and goes by the pronouns they/their.
Lillie Rohan is an Auckland-based reporter covering lifestyle and entertainment stories who joined the Herald in 2020. She specialises in all things relationships and dating, great Taylor Swift ticket wars and TV shows you simply cannot miss out on.
