Sam Smith is a master of emotional expression on stage, seamlessly blending heartbreaking ballads with upbeat dance tracks to create an unforgettable festival experience. During their electrifying performance at Budapest’s Sziget Festival in 2024, Smith demonstrated this skill with an impressive 18-song setlist that spanned the emotional spectrum, from the poignant plea of “Stay With Me” to the fiery energy of “Unholy.” This concert showcased not only Smith’s vocal prowess but also a remarkable evolution in their music over the past decade.
Performing amidst the vibrant backdrop of Óbuda Island on August 11, 2024, Smith embraced the ‘Gloria’ era, marked by adventurous musical explorations that married soul, disco, electronic pop, and theatrical flair. Their latest album, Gloria, unveiled a playful and provocative side of Smith, moving beyond the romantic ballads that first catapulted them to fame.
The concert kicked off with “Stay With Me,” the heart-wrenching anthem that first introduced Smith to a global audience in 2014. Its gospel-rooted arrangement and simple yet powerful request for companionship set an emotional tone for the evening, reflecting Smith’s confidence in leading a festival crowd through moments of vulnerability before unleashing the more upbeat numbers ahead.
Building upon this foundation, Smith moved smoothly into “I’m Not the Only One” and “Like I Can,” both staples from their debut album, In the Lonely Hour. These tracks solidified their reputation for transforming themes of romantic despair into soaring pop melodies, drawing from the rich traditions of classic soul music.
As the performance continued, “Too Good at Goodbyes,” another fan favorite from 2017’s The Thrill of It All, kept the emotional momentum going. By this point, Smith had already accumulated a catalog of heartbreak anthems powerful enough to transform any karaoke weekend into an emotional rollercoaster.
Then, the energy shifted dramatically with “Diamonds,” heralding a new, punchier electronic vibe. With “How Do You Sleep?” they dove deeper into contemporary dance-pop, showcasing their evolving interest in diverse rhythms and a soundscape that extends far beyond their original soulful roots.
Continuing to embrace this evolution, “Dancing With a Stranger,” their striking collaboration with Normani, united melancholy lyrics with an irresistible dance groove. This juxtaposition exemplifies one of Smith’s signature songwriting techniques: crafting songs that make emotional reflections feel vibrant and danceable, perfectly suited for lively festival environments.
The concert didn’t neglect quieter moments either. Songs like “Good Thing” and “Lay Me Down” re-introduced a sense of intimacy, reminding the audience that Smith’s remarkable voice remains the bedrock of their artistry, whether adorned with minimalist arrangements or climactic orchestral flourishes.
As the concert progressed into its second half, the atmosphere shifted to favor the dance-oriented spirit of Gloria. “Gimme,” co-created with Jessie Reyez and Koffee, unveiled a more rhythmically complex sound, while “Lose You” embraced a disco-inspired production style. Smith also delivered “Promises,” their collaboration with Calvin Harris, a track that further accentuated their seamless integration of dance music into their repertoire.
This musical trajectory reflects a significant evolution in Smith’s artistic landscape. Their initial breakthrough in 2012 with “Latch,” a hit collaboration with Disclosure, marked the beginning of their journey into the realm of electronic music, which has now become a vital aspect of their identity.
The flamboyant pulse of “I’m Not Here to Make Friends” emerged next, encapsulating the celebratory essence of Gloria. Its unapologetically bold rhythm signified a stark shift from the more restrained performances of Smith’s early career. Intentionally, the setlist maintained high energy, with “Desire,” another collaboration with Calvin Harris, preserving the vibrant dance-floor momentum.
The concert then reached a nostalgic peak with “Latch,” the track that first made Smith’s hypnotic voice known to a wider audience. This reflective moment symbolically bridged the past and present of their evolving narrative.
To beautifully transition into the finale, a cover of Donna Summer’s iconic “I Feel Love” honored the lineage of electronic dance music, further cementing Smith’s connection to the genre. Originally produced by the legendary duo Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte in 1977, this classic bridged generations, linking it to Smith’s contemporary sound.
Following this homage, the concert flowed into “Gloria,” the title track from their fourth album, concluding with the show-stopping “Unholy.” This song, a collaboration with Kim Petras, quickly became one of Smith’s major international triumphs, dominating charts and capturing awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Its bold theatricality exemplified how far Smith had come from those early, heart-wrenching ballads.
This Sziget concert is a unique snapshot of Sam Smith’s artistic evolution, illustrating the journey from heartbreak to liberation on the dance floor. Their early works established them as a powerhouse of emotional ballads, while subsequent collaborations and albums embraced a wider range of genres, from electronic and disco to theatrical performance. The diverse musical styles coexisted beautifully throughout the Budapest set, delighting longtime fans and inviting newcomers into a powerful and transformative musical experience.
Setlist:
- “Stay With Me”
- “I’m Not the Only One”
- “Like I Can”
- “Too Good at Goodbyes”
- “Diamonds”
- “How Do You Sleep?”
- “Dancing With a Stranger”
- “Good Thing”
- “Lay Me Down”
- “Gimme”
- “Lose You”
- “Promises”
- “I’m Not Here to Make Friends”
- “Desire”
- “Latch”
- “I Feel Love” (Donna Summer cover)
- “Gloria”
- “Unholy”
