British singer-songwriter Sam Smith to perform special show at d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale in January 2023

British music superstar Sam Smith is coming to SA early next year for an intimate show for just a few hundred people – here’s how to get tickets.

The d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale will be the stunning backdrop for an intimate outdoor show by British superstar Sam Smith in January.

The exclusive gig for 300 people will be Smith’s only Australian show on their promotional trip Down Under, and their first visit to SA since 2015.

“I’m so excited to explore South Australia and check out the stunning beaches and wineries – and what a perfect time to do it in summer,” Smith said.

“The show will be very special for me as it is my first performance in Australia since 2020, so I can’t wait to welcome fans to SA to share in my new music and enjoy the destination with me.”

Sam Smith performs at AO Arena at the weekend in Manchester. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/Getty

The Grammy Award-winning artist will perform their full catalogue of hits and their latest No. 1 single Unholy from upcoming album Gloria.

Tickets to the show are available only through national radio competitions on the HIT, Nova and Mix networks, which will begin on Monday, and on the @SouthAustralia Instagram account in coming weeks.

The unique event is part of a collaboration with the SA Tourism Commission, designed to showcase the state to Smith’s social media following of more than 35 million globally.

SATC marketing executive director Erik De Roos said Smith’s visit would further boost tourism around SA.

“We’re thrilled that Sam will be performing at such an iconic South Australian winery, and we cannot wait to welcome them to our beautiful state,” he said.

The Cube has turned heads since it was launched in December 2017, collecting eight state and national design and tourism prizes, and attracted more than a million visitors.

Chester Osborn at d'Arenberg Cube. Picture: Matt Turner.

Tourism surging back to pre-Covid levels

South Australia’s post-pandemic tourism resurgence continues to reach new heights.

Latest National Visitor Survey data from the South Australian Tourism Commission shows interstate and local holiday spending in the state for August was $747m – up 20 per cent on the same month in 2019.

It is the fifth consecutive month in which visitor expenditure was near or above pre-Covid figures, with big events includingthe international rugby double-header at Adelaide Oval helping to boost numbers.

The state’s total visitor spending in August was 115 per cent of 2019 figures, which is a new monthly post-pandemic record high.

The figures come as international airline schedules return to 65 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and domestic airlines at 105 per cent, compared with the same period in 2019.

Australian Hotels Association SA boss Ian Horne said it was amazing to see hotels fill up around the city.

“We know big events like last Thursday’s ICC T20 World Cup are a massive boost for

hotels, and with Harvest Rock and the Adelaide 500 just around the corner, we’re

seeing a really big spike in forward bookings and a lot of positivity to help finish the

year with a bang,” he said.

Hilton Adelaide General Manager Rupert Hallam said their event business had recovered to 2019 levels and the remainder of the year was looking positive.