Sam Smith to tour Australia after Adelaide concert but also misses Michael Gudinski
Music star Sam Smith has revealed more plans to tour Australia after Adelaide, and also paid tribute to one man they miss the most when in town.
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The only thing marring British pop star Sam Smith’s joy at announcing their first Australian tour in four years is that friend and Aussie music legend Michael Gudinski isn’t by their side.
Smith who identifies as non-binary and uses the pronoun they/them/theirs, said “Do you know what? When we landed in Australia, I said to my friends I really feel the difference,” Smith said, of Gudinski, who died suddenly in March, 2021.
“It just feels weird to be here and for Michael to not be around.
“He always looked after me so well. He brought this spirit of music in Australia to me and always made me feel so inspired – even times when I didn’t have the belief in myself at times, he always instilled that in me.”
But while it was always hard and sad that Gudinski was gone, the Unholy singer still feels his presence through the Mushroom Group founder’s phenomenal legacy.
“He was such an incredible force in this industry, and in this world, that he’s left his mark on everyone around him and they bring his magic still.
“But it’s always, always hard, always the loss.”
Ahead of their one-night only exclusive gig floating above the vines at SA’s iconic D’Arenberg Cube on Wednesday, the Unholy singer announced they would be coming back and kicking off a five-date Gloria tour in South Australia at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in October, before heading to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland.
“I’m so excited for the tour, so if you can get there, I’m going to put the best show I’ve ever put on and I can’t wait,” Smith said.
“I’m so glad to be able to move on stage and without any kind of block.
“I feel like the last time I was touring, I was 26 years old and I was just coming out of those early twenties. I was still, you know, a little bit confused and didn’t know who I was.
“I feel now I’m in a place where I just can’t wait to dance, you know? I haven’t danced on stage in front of people yet, so I can’t wait to feel free in from top of everyone.”
While they’re promising dancing for the tour, the Adelaide-only show is more of an acoustic experience, with the audience standing in the vines.
“It won’t require loads of dancing – but maybe some chic swaying,” Smith hinted.
Smith has been sampling some of South Australia’s best tourism experiences over the past few days, cuddling a koala at Cleland Wildlife Park before sampling wines at Gem Tree Winery in the Adelaide Hills and lunch at the famed Star of Greece at Port Willunga, ahead of a soundcheck at The Cube.
The exclusive performance for 300 people 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.
“I’ve only ever been in the city before and the surrounding countryside is just incredible,” Smith said.
“Australia has always been one of my favourite places to tour. I’ve always felt like I’ve had such a beautiful, warm response.”
The arena tour will feature songs from Smith’s upcoming 13-track album, Gloria, and comes off the back of the huge success of the ARIA No.1 single, Unholy, featuring Kim Petras. The smash hit has surpassed 1.3 billion streams globally, with 36 million streams in Australia alone.
“It feels like emotional, sexual and spiritual liberation,” Smith said, saying they were the most confident and creatively fulfilled version of themself. “It feels like I’ve got my faith back, in my job. So it was beautiful, with this album, to sing freely again, for me. It feels like a coming of age”.
GLORIA, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, October 28; Rod Laver Arena, October 31; Qudos Bank Arena, November 3, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, November 8; Spark Arena, Auckland, November 11. Telstra plus (au) pre-sale via telstra.com/music, runs 48 hours from January 13, pre-sale Monday, January 16, general public on sale January 18. On sale timings staggered per show. Visit Ticketek.com.au
Gloria released January 27
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