Sam Smith has announced a return to Manchester for two intimate residency shows at the Albert Hall on September 3 and 4, 2026. This marks their first performances in the city since a concert at the AO Arena on May 23, 2023, ended abruptly after just four songs due to vocal issues.
Background of the 2023 Incident
During the Gloria world tour stop at Manchester's AO Arena, Sam Smith performed only four songs before the lights dimmed, leading fans to speculate about a power cut. It later emerged that the show was cancelled because of vocal problems. Hours after the event, Smith issued a statement saying they were 'heartbroken' and had been battling a virus. 'I noticed something wrong with my voice, and tried everything to get it back in gear,' they wrote. 'I am honestly heartbroken I couldn't finish the show tonight for you all.'
The To Be Free Tour
The upcoming Manchester shows are part of the UK leg of the 'To Be Free' tour, which also includes eight performances at the London Coliseum from September 8 to 19. These intimate gigs follow a series of similar shows in New York last October, which featured surprise appearances from Hozier, Ed Sheeran, and Kim Petras. The tour is in support of Smith's upcoming fifth album, Hazel Eyes, set for release on August 21, 2026. The album includes collaborations with The TwoCity Chorus and Canadian indie-pop star Feist, and is preceded by the single 'My Guy'.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the UK shows go on sale on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 10am BST via Ticketmaster, Gigs and Tours, and See Tickets. A pre-sale opportunity is available for fans who pre-order Hazel Eyes on CD or vinyl from Amazon UK before 5pm BST on Monday, July 6. Those who pre-order will receive a code for six-day early access to tickets.
Smith will also perform four shows in Mexico City in August before the UK leg begins.
