With the announcement of their new tour, Sam Smith is trading arenas for something way more personal. Hot on the heels of the announcement of Hazel Eyes, Sam’s fifth studio album, the Grammy, BRIT, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning artist has unveiled a special run of To Be Free residency shows, taking over Manchester’s Albert Hall and the London Coliseum this September.
Rather than launching the new era in an arena-sized venue, Smith has chosen two of the UK’s most atmospheric theatres, a decision that feels perfectly in keeping with an album that is set to be centred on vulnerability and self-reflection.
The dates
September 2026
Manchester – Albert Hall
3 September
4 September
London – London Coliseum
8 September
9 September
11 September
12 September
15 September
16 September
18 September
19 September
With just two performances in Manchester and a whopping eight nights at the London Coliseum, these shows are some of Sam Smith’s most intimate UK performances in years.
Inspired by a new home
The residency arrives just a few weeks after the release of Hazel Eyes, which lands into the arms and ears of fans on 21st Augst 2026. Described as a heartfelt love letter to New York, where Sam Smith now resides, the album is to explore themes of emotional vulnerability and self-reflection. Created alongside longtime collaborator and producer Simon Alfred, it features the new singles ‘My Guy, ‘To Be Free’ and ‘Love is a Stillness.’
The September gigs will be among the first opportunities for fans to hear songs from Hazel Eyes performed live.
Why these venues feel right
The setting of these gigs feels very fitting, both the Albert Hall and the London Coliseum are the type of venues that give every lyric the space to breathe. The walls are rich in history and full of character, built for special performances that don’t rely on production to leave a lasting impression.
For an artist like Sam Smith, whose voice does the heavy lifting on their behalf, this setting feels perfect to introduce a deeply personal new record.
More than the new album
Of course, Sam’s new album takes centre stage here, but it isn’t just about the new music. Over the past 10 years, Sam Smith has built an instantly recognisable catalogue, from the breakthrough success of In The Lonely Hour through to a string of chart-topping singles and award-winning albums.
With songs like ‘Stay With Me,’ ‘I’m Not the Only One’ and ‘How Do You Sleep?’ becoming staples of Sam’s live shows, hearing them in venues of this size promises to be a different experience from a huge arena gig.
Tickets and presales
Tickets for the To Be Free residency will be released in phases ahead of general sale. You can sign up for pre-sale over at Sam Smith’s website and mailing list. Make sure you’re prepared, given the limited capacity of both of the venues, demand is expected to be high.
The To Be Free residency is an intriguing turn of the page for Sam Smith, rather than going bigger, they’re choosing to go closer, inviting fans into two beautiful theatres to introduce an album that already is sounding like their most personal in years.
