Sam Smith: Tiny Desk Concert

Stephen Thompson | September 29, 2023 What you&got here is a perfect 20-minute distillation of The Sam Smith Experience: The Grammy-winning 2014 ballad that kicked off the singer&career ("Stay With Me"), a sleek dance-pop banger ("How Do You Sleep") and a chart-topping dollop of debauched hedonism ("Unholy") bundled together with "Lay Me Down," in which Smith performed a gorgeous duet with LaDonna Harley-Peters. From the stately to the louche and bawdy — Smith even introduced "Unholy" with a perfect summation of their recent artistic direction: "Let&get saucy!" — it&all here. Performing with an 11-person choir and two instrumentalists — sadly, Kim Petras wasn&there to emerge from between Smith&legs as if she were being birthed — Smith brought an overflowing bag of tricks to the proceedings. But what really shone through was a sense of movement: Each song swayed and played effervescently, centering Smith while also elevating every other magnificent voice in support. This set may not serve as anyone&introduction to the music of Sam Smith, but it&still a hell of a gateway — and a joy to behold. SET LIST "Stay With Me" "How Do You Sleep" "Lay Me Down (feat. LaDonna Harley-Peters)" "Unholy" MUSICIANS Sam Smith: vocals Ruth O&Brady: piano, effects Ben Totten: guitar LaDonna Harley-Peters: vocals Patrick Linton: choir Lucita Jules: choir Megan Thomaston: choir Brandon Payne: choir Christian King: choir Troi Lauren: choir Roy Dyshon Warren: choir Carmen Kirvy: choir Shalisha...