Global superstar Sam Smith swapped stadiums for an intimate Brooklyn venue last week, attracting a host of famous faces to their acclaimed New York City residency. The British singer performed a series of close-up shows at the 1,000-capacity Warsaw in Brooklyn, offering fans a rare chance to see them in a more personal setting.
A-List Audience for Intimate Performances
The residency, titled To Be Free: New York City, proved a major draw for celebrities. During the 22nd show on December 10, the audience included Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway. Hathaway later joined Smith and special guest Ed Sheeran for a backstage photograph following the performance.
Sheeran, who attended with his wife Cherry Seaborn, took to the stage with Smith for the live debut of their collaborative track Who We Love. The residency also welcomed other notable guests, including fashion icon Anna Wintour and musician J.D. Sansom at a show on Wednesday evening.
Surprise Collaborations and New Music Previews
The intimate setting fostered unique musical moments. Country star Brandi Carlile, who recently worked with Sir Elton John, joined Smith for a duet of Party Of One, a song they originally recorded for the War Child charity.
Smith also used the platform to preview an unreleased song titled My Guy, describing it as a "new song I wrote in Brooklyn on a summer day, stoned." They expressed joy at finally being able to perform happier love songs, marking a shift in their musical repertoire.
Overwhelming Demand for a Personal Touch
Originally announced as a 12-night run in October, the residency was extended to 24 shows due to phenomenal fan demand. Smith explained the motivation behind the scaled-down series, stating, 'I wanted to get back into rooms where I can see your faces. It’s been such a beautiful experience.'
The residency was named after Smith's non-album single To Be Free, released this summer. Smith revealed the song was written five years ago with friend Simon Aldred and holds deep personal significance.
With the New York chapter now closed, Sam Smith is expected to continue their run of live performances in San Francisco next year, leaving Brooklyn audiences with memories of a uniquely personal concert experience.
