Sam Smith “Unholy” and unstoppable in creative United Center sell out, Jessie Reyez rises

Sam Smith Photos by Andy Argyrakis

From the moment the angelic voice of London’s Sam Smith burst out of the speakers about a decade ago, it became clear there wasn’t a single genre the singer/songwriter couldn’t slay, a trend repeatedly proven throughout the entire history-making path to becoming the first openly non-binary artist to win a Grammy Award.

Of course, he previously won an armload before adapting they/them pronouns, and now that the “Gloria” Tour is underway, keeps maintaining the seemingly unstoppable streak of success, selling out iconic arenas such as United Center.

Sam SmithFor almost two-hours, Smith demonstrated the many reasons why, starting on the surprisingly intimate stretch of “Stay With Me,” “I’m Not The Only One” and “Like I Can,” yet filling every millimeter of the expansive building thanks to those powerful pipes.

“Perfect” picked up the pace with a cameo from support act Jessie Reyez and kept right on grooving via “Diamonds,” “Dancing With A Stranger” and an uncommon but astounding cover of Des’ree’s ballad “I’m Kissing You.”

As the creative and sexually-charged evening progressed, featuring multiple wardrobe changes of glitzy gowns to a custom made Chicago Bulls jersey, so did Smith’s direction towards the club, including the Calvin Harris collaboration “Promises” and the Disclosure duet “Latch.”

The headliner also paid homage to a few more muses, dancing shirtless on a stage centered around a golden gender-neutral statue to disco diva Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love,” then expressing rather than repressing themselves during pop queen Madonna’s “Human Nature.”

It all paved the way for “Unholy,” accompanied on the screen by transgender trailblazer and accomplished electro-pop artist in her own right, Kim Petras (who’s coming to Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom on October 18), while Smith was dressed as Satan in a speedo and stilettos because, well, why the hell not?

Sam SmithNot that they ever never needed permission before, but at this stage of a colossal career, Smith has earned the right to full artistic freedom, which coupled with immense talents behind the mic, meant for a moving and memorable occasion where an already budding superstar fully arrived.

Opener Jessie Reyez could very well be next given a deeply personal brand of pop meets hip-hop that was introduced like it a first date, including the revelation she wrote Harris and Dua Lipa’s “One Kiss” and peeling back all the production for the bare bones acoustics of “Figures,” which suggested it won’t be long before her name appears on marquees of similar stature.


Click here for more photos of Sam Smith at the United Center.

For additional information on Sam Smith and Jessie Reyez, visit SamSmithWorld.com and JessieReyez.com.

For a list of upcoming Jam Productions concerts, visit JamUSA.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Chance The Rapper (Aug. 19); Lil Baby (Aug. 24); Arctic Monkeys (Aug. 27); Pearl Jam (Sept. 5 and 7); Eason Chan (Sept. 10); Aerosmith (Sept. 15); 50 Cent (Sept. 16); $uicideboy$ (Sept. 22); Peter Gabriel (Sept. 30); Mana (Oct. 1); Playboi Carti (Oct. 2); Wu-Tang Clan and Nas (Oct. 8); SZA (Oct. 10); Phish (Oct. 13-15); John Mayer (Oct. 18); Joji (Oct. 20); Enhypen (Oct. 22); Queen + Adam Lambert (Oct. 30-31); Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin (Nov. 1-2); Depeche Mode (Nov. 13) and Doja Cat (Dec. 13). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.