Sam Smith makes a captivating, stylistically diverse Proms debut

It was always a childhood dream of singer Sam Smith to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. Yet the announcement of this BBC Proms event, framed as a ten-year retrospective on Smith’s debut album In the Lonely Hour, attracted some controversy. BBC Radio 3 director Sam Jackson even had to make an intervention, ensuring disgruntled commentators that the concert would be “entirely appropriate” for the Proms – a nod to Smith’s recent headline-garnering performances.

The slew of blue-eyed soul ballads on In the Lonely Hour already have a baked-in heft and gravitas that made these orchestral re-imaginings both so natural and so thrilling. The set up of Smith’s regular band and backing singers, the BBC Concert Orchestra (conducted by Simon Hale), and gospel outfit the LJ Singers ensured every musical and emotional climax was underlined, italicised, and emboldened.

Ten years on from their debut, Smith’s vocals have matured. Smith seems to now eschew the sinewy falsetto of their earlier studio recordings in favour of more authoritative power. Audiences (this writer included) were particularly rapt by the gospel hand claps on ‘I’m Not the Only One’, Smith’s harmonies with long-time backing singer LaDonna Young on the exquisitely tender ‘Lay Me Down’, and, of course, the mighty pleading of ‘Stay With Me’. The set explored Smith’s wider discography too: Bond theme ‘Writing on the Wall’ felt custom-made for the Hall.

While reassuring audiences at the top of the show that they wouldn’t “get [their] bum out”, Smith discarded their suit for the show’s second set, throwing on a billowing crimson gown (designed by Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood). Equally strong performances of ‘Dancing with a Stranger’ and ‘Too Good at Goodbyes’ followed. An unexpected turn in the set saw Smith bring out jazz singer Claire Teal for a sizzling ‘Fever’, and a solo ‘My Funny Valentine’.

Perhaps a middle finger to those who decried this Proms booking, Smith donned their devil-horned top-hat midway through the penultimate performance of the gothic, somewhat bonkers ‘Unholy’. And then another 180-degree shift saw Smith honouring Judy Garland with ‘Over the Rainbow’. Balancing histrionics with moments of undiluted restraint, Smith was utterly compelling at every turn.

You can listen to Sam Smith’s concert at the BBC Proms on BBC Sounds HERE!