Sam bears his soul in as upbeat a manner as a singer is able

SOPHIE BARLEY REVIEWS SAM SMITH AND BRUNO MAJOR AT THE METRO RADIO ARENA IN NEWCASTLE

“NOT many people know this, but my family is from Whitley Bay; Newcastle is like a second home to me.”

What an opening line that was.

With a smile on his face and his hand on his heart, Sam Smith knew the Metro Arena would erupt with that line.

‘I spent many a night in Powerhouse. Being back in Newcastle is special to me.’

Some people describe his music as miserable. I describe it as mesmerising.

And it’s clear he wants to rid the miserable tag from his reputation ever so slightly on this tour.

“I know people think I’m depressing but I’m really not,” he told us.

Yes, he sings from his broken-hearted soul. His songs are like chapters of his adulthood : his trials, his heartbreaks and his self-acceptance. It’s endearing and at times incredibly moving to watch. Having said that, the gig had a much more uptempo vibe than expected. Even Too Good At Goodbyes was given a jazzy tone. Like I Can and Restart had the arena captivated and his debut single, Stay With Me, was beautiful. “That was a bit f****** dramatic,” he joked after his Bond theme tune Writing’s on the Wall and he did ‘warn’ us: “It’s about to get depressing now” before he sang the soul-baring Scars. He explained it was the most emotional song he has ever written, “randomly in Birmingham,” following the break-up of his parents’ marriage. His emotions imploded out of him during the passionate Him. Half way through, again with his hand on his heart,

eyes shut, he exclaimed: “I’m a gay man and I’m a proud gay man.”

Raw emotion seeps out of him throughout. On every record.

He started the gig slumped on a chair singing Burning and ended it back on the same chair after Pray. Fine choices to start and finish – the two best tracks on the Thrill of It All album.

Palace is another beautifully written piece, as is Lay Me Down from his first album.

His band was a huge addition to the gig.

And his support act, rising singersongwriter Bruno Major, added a lovely touch to the night.

Look out for this major talent in the future – I predict big things for him and hopefully he’ll soon be headlining his own gig in Newcastle too.

There can be no denying that Sam Smith is an incredibly talented songwriter, laying his heart and soul out every time he puts pen to paper.

And there is no doubt he will continue to sell out arenas.

And he seemed right at home, in his second home.