Sam Smith gives generous, glam performance at Xcel

Sam Smith performed at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN on Wednesday, August 16, with support from Jessie Reyez.Tony Nelson for MPR

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August 17, 2023

On the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 16, the iconic pop singer Sam Smith took the stage at Xcel Energy Center for their Gloria tour. The British singer and performer, who came out as non-binary midway through their career, champions queerness, love, warmth, and sexuality in their work.

Jesse Reyez opened the show, but she performed like a headliner. From her glorious stage presence to the way she communed with the crowd, her set was something to behold. Reyez, the Latina singer who hails from Canada, packs a punch in her lyricism and vocals. But perhaps the realest power in her set was in how she built a genuine rapport in a matter of minutes, immediately declaring that the set would be her “first date” with everyone in the audience. “I want to make sure the engagements are symbiotic,” she said to the crowd. At one point, she asked a couple in the crowd their names and built them into one of her songs.

She also actively worked to lift everyone up. At one point she called the crowd to chant affirmations with her. “I am strong. I am present. I am healthy,” she called out for the audience to repeat, which they did. She also touched on more challenging and sensitive concepts, like consent. She relayed a story of how a prominent producer had told her she would have to perform sexual favors to get ahead. She processed the enraging concept on stage with an empathetic crowd.

Jessie Reyez in St. Paul — Jessie Reyez. Sam Smith performed at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN on Wednesday, August 16, with support from Jessie Reyez.
Tony Nelson for MPR

When sang her closing song, “FIGURES,” the audience joined in creating a melodious and communal feeling in the arena. As her set ended, people wearing Sam Smith’s signature red horns filtered into the room. Reyez wasn’t leaving the stage for good, and would return twice during Smith’s set.

With a brief intermission between sets, the audience gathered drinks and found seats. The crowd seemed to be predominantly millennial, some who would gladly hang out with Sam Smith in real life.

It started with a dancer stalking on stage, which set the tone for not just a concert, but a show. The dancer revealed the set, which was hidden under a sheet during Jesse Reyez’s performance. A massive, golden statuesque body took up the entire stage, with stairs descending down its knees.

Smith started their performance generously with the No. 1 hit “Stay With Me,” which has nearly two billion streams on Spotify. They graced the stage in gorgeous golden corset suit, embodying a whimsical host, perhaps of an imaginary world where gender is fluid and music reigns supreme.

This song reminded us why Smith is so famous. Their seamless vocals, generosity, and sincerely immediately captivated the audience. Their set was divided into three acts, Love, Beauty, and Sex. Aptly named, the first act celebrated their band, engaged in deep and emotional vocals, and created a sense of loving community in the audience.

The set also mirrored the acts. During “Love” the stage was soft and golden, Smith’s amazing backup singers dawned gold outfits, and the matching looks fostered a sense of loving cohesion on stage.

Sam Smith in St. Paul — Sam Smith performed at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN on Wednesday, August 16, with support from Jessie Reyez.
Tony Nelson for MPR

Then, the performance then crescendoed into Beauty, with a voice playing over the speakers, giving a brief manifesto on the name of the act. Here, dancers became a large element of Smith’s performance, clad in glittering sheaths and performing cohesively, they took the show’s performative element up a notch.

The golden body became the dancers’ playground, and changed into a landscape. This section was about discovery and play. As a group, everyone worked together to explore what beauty means, both in visuals and sound.

Smith’s outfit choices reflected each stage of the concert, and changed frequently. They started with light hues and decadent details, then a full-blown gorgeous ball gown -- a fitting choice for the second act – and then a casual pink bomber jacket. High marks to the Barbie-esque pink fluffy overcoat and the gorgeous veil worn during the album and tour’s title track “Gloria.”

As Beauty faded, and the Sex section began, Smith pivoted from a sound reminiscent of disco to something more EDM-like. Their new song with Madonna, called “Vulgar,” was ready for a club, a far departure from their opening song.

For this last act, liberation was in the air. Smith’s dancing, facial expressions, and lyrics focused solely on pleasure. The dancers worked to emphasize Smith’s points, creating a visually stunning and provocative performance. Smith wore a BDSM outfit, complete with thigh high boots, fishnets, and a thong.

It was impressive the way the show built into that space. By starting in a place of universal warmth and familiarity and moving through acts and outfit changes into a final spectacular moment, they allow the audience to calibrate, build comfort and ultimately join in on the excitement.

They finished their set with “Unholy” which features pop legend Kim Petras. It was a stunning finale to an enthralling show. It only begs the question: When will Sam Smith return?

Jessie Reyez