Soulboy Sam needs to send his spirit soaring

SAM SMITH is a stickler for planning. ‘We’ve worked on this show for a year and been in rehearsals for two months,’ he said as he opened his first arena tour on Tuesday.

The singer, 25, has made a career out of his fantastic voice — and his less-than-fantastic love life.

Backed by a band in which pianist Reuben James was exceptional, I’m Not The Only One and Lay Me Down struck a woebegone note.

With screens, a pyramid and gold staircase, there was no lack of visual tricks. But Smith is not a natural showman and this was an oddly understated start. Writing’s On The Wall injected melodrama, but only with the disco swirl of Restart did the evening fully take wing, the careful planner finally revelling in a looseness that carried him into a singalong Too Good At Goodbyes and Stay With Me that saw the front rows showered with rose petals.

Sam Smith’s tour continues at the SSE Hydro, Glasgow, tonight. (gigsandtours.com).