Sam Smith Joined By A$AP Rocky At iTunes Festival 2014!

REVIEW: Stay With Me singer puts on a five-star performance at Camden's Roundhouse...

Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 13:53

After rubbing shoulders with the likes of Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian and returning to No.1 on the album charts, Sam Smith returns home to remind us all of why we fell in love with him.

Feeling: The scene was set by supporting artist SOHN. True to his work, he sat behind a keyboard shrouded by a heavy hood whilst a smooth heavy bass with overlaid and his raw voice filled the Roundhouse, leaving the audience enchanted by his theatre like performance. After being left in a daze there was an instant awakening when Sam Smith hit the stage blazing and igniting the audience who were a sea of screams.

The Look: With Sam Smith it’s all about the voice but he couldn’t help but look dapper in his white collared shirt buttoned to the top under a navy suit surrounded by his soulful backing singers decked in black from head to toe. Despite his composed attire, it didn’t stop him from whacking out the dance moves for Restart and getting everyone in the audience to join in.

Tunes: Sam Smith may have a stigma from his Stay With Me success of being boring, even claiming himself: "My album is very, very depressing”. Despite this, he managed to keep the set list dynamic throughout. From the vulnerable Leave Your Lover to a stomping Arctic Monkeys cover of Do I Wanna Know right the way through to the eletro-pop hit Money On My Mind.

View the lyrics

Guess it's true
I'm not good at a one night stand
But I still need love
'Cause I'm just a man

These nights never seem to
Go to plan
I don't want you to leave
Will you hold my hand?

Oh, won't you stay with me?
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me

Why am I so emotional?
No, it's not a good look
Need some self control
And deep down, I know this never works
But you can lay with me so it doesn't hurt

Oh, won't you stay with me?
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me

Oh, won't you stay with me?
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me

Oh, won't you stay with me?
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me

Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

Despite the constant contrasting tunes, Sam Smith never failed to disappoint with his vocal skills by slowing down vocal riffs, re-versioning songs and even giving a nod to his super successful features on tracks by Naughty Boy and Disclosure. Closing the show was the long awaited Stay With Me, which reminded everyone in the room of the reason we fell in love with Sam Smith in the first place.

Special Guests: Sam Smith already has his fair share of celebrity fans, but New Yorker A$AP Rocky was the obvious choice for a special appearance given his newly announced feature on I’m Not The Only One.

Banter: Despite his success and praise, Smith manages to remain humble thanking iTunes for the opportunity despite “competing with the iPhone 6 launch”. What really makes Sam’s personality shine is how relatable his music is, “I called someone and told them everything” he cooed to the audience before I’ve Told You Now, but came back down to earth with "I don't f*cking swear", and “I just dribbled on myself”.

Sweat Factor: Sam Smith is an angel and therefore doesn’t sweat. (But if he did, we couldn’t tell)

Summary: Sam Smith can sing. That’s a given. But can he put on a performance? Definitely. This isn’t the last we’ll be seeing of the timeless performer and his iTunes festival gig reassures that.