Sam Smith announces new single Lay Me Down

Sam Smith announces new single Lay Me Down

In the midst of his sell out North American tour, which has seen him perform at Madison Square Garden and two nights at The Forum in LA, Sam Smith announces his new single "Lay Me Down" released through Capitol Records on 15th March.

Just over two years ago, Sam Smith captured hearts throughout the world when he released a stripped-back, acoustic video of "Lay Me Down". The video of Sam and his pianist in a studio was raw and emotive, leading to it being shared at an exponential rate the world-over. Now in 2015, Sam has been back into the studio with producers Jimmy Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice to re-record a brand new version for single release - the result is a heartfelt and poignant track that underlines Sam's completely unique and powerful vocals.

Two years later and Sam Smith is still the name on everyone's lips as last year saw Sam sell over five million copies worldwide of his debut album 'In The Lonely Hour' making him one of the fastest-selling British debut artists of all time. 2014 saw Sam go from newcomer to international superstar having now collected an impressive array of prestigious music awards and nominations including six Grammy Nominations and leading the charge with five BRIT nominations. It was also recently announced he was the only artist in the world last year to reach over 1 million album sales in both the UK and the US.

Sam's Grammy nominations make him the first male artist in 34 years – and the first U.K. male artist ever – to receive nominations in the "big four" GRAMMY Awards® categories following the release of a debut album. In The Lonely Hour was nominated for Album Of The Year while his 4x multi-Platinum single "Stay With Me" was nominated for Record and Song Of The Year as well as receiving a nod for Best New Artist. These four categories constitute the General Field of the GRAMMY nominations. In addition, he was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album (In The Lonely Hour) and Best Pop Solo Performance ("Stay With Me"), bringing his total nominations to six.

In just a year from being awarded the BRITs Critics Choice in 2014 he leads the pack as we move into this year's BRIT Awards with five nominations under his belt for Best Male, Best Album, Best Song, Best Newcomer and Best Video.

Sam's live shows move from strength to strength, after a string of incredible sold out shows across North America, Sam will return to the UK in March to embark on another sold out UK tour, culminating in three back to back shows at London's O2 Brixton Academy. 2015 is shaping up to be bigger than the last year with Sam's escalating success and multi-national sales making him one of the UK's most exciting home-grown talents.

For more information: www.samsmithworld.com

Sam Smith receives six Grammy Nominations

Sam Smith receives six Grammy Nominations

Sam Smith is the first male artist in 34 years – and the first U.K. male artist ever – to receive nominations in the "big four" GRAMMY Awards® categories following the release of a debut album. As announced today, Smith's In The Lonely Hour (Capitol Records) was nominated for Album Of The Year while his 4x multi-Platinum single "Stay With Me" was nominated for Record and Song Of The Year. Smith also received a nod for Best New Artist. These four categories constitute the General Field of the GRAMMY nominations. In addition, he was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album (In The Lonely Hour) and Best Pop Solo Performance ("Stay With Me"), bringing his total nominations to six. The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards telecast will take place live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

Smith made chart history in the U.S. with In The Lonely Hour, which sold more copies in its first week of release than any other U.K. male artist debut in the 23-year history of SoundScan. It entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2 and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The Associated Press hailed it as "a passionate, heart-wrenching album" and The Washington Post observed, "'In the Lonely Hour' shows off every facet of Smith's voice to goose pimple-raising effect."

"I'm Not the Only One," Smith's new single, was recently certified Platinum in the US. It marks his third Top 10 hit on Billboard's Hot 100 this year, a feat unrivaled by any other male artist in 2014. It follows his 4x multi-Platinum breakthrough hit, "Stay With Me," which was played across eight radio formats and climbed to No. 1 at five formats.

Over the course of 2014, Smith has won the BRIT Critics' Choice award, the BBC Sound of 2014 prize, Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock honors at the American Music Awards, a Q award, four MOBOs and the VH1 2014 You Oughta Know Artist Of The Year award. He will return to the U.S. in January 2015 for his third North American headline tour in less than a year. The arena and theatre run includes a concert at Madison Square Garden and a two-night stand The Forum in Los Angeles.

SAM SMITH ARENA/THEATRE TOUR 2015

January 9 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre

January 10 Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry House

January 12 Fairfax, VA Patriot Center

January 13 Philadelphia, PA The Liacouras Center

January 15 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

January 17 Boston, MA Agganis Arena

January 19 Montreal, QC Bell Centre

January 20 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre

January 22 Detroit, MI Masonic Temple Theatre

January 23 Chicago, IL UIC Pavilion

January 24 St. Paul, MN Roy Wilkins Auditorium

January 26 Broomfield, CO 1st Bank Center

January 29 Los Angeles, CA The Forum

January 30 Los Angeles, CA The Forum

January 31 San Francisco, CA Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

February 2 Seattle, WA Key Arena

February 4 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena

Sam Smith feat Mary J. Blige duet on Stay With Me

Sam Smith Mary J. Blige duet Stay With Me

Sam Smith’s ever-growing fan base now includes the Queen of RandB Mary J. Blige, who lent her vocals to a new duet with Sam of his UK No.1 debut single, “Stay With Me.” The video for this new version premiered on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on June 2 and feature both artists sharing a stage, delivering a tender live rendering of this gospel-infused song.

Smith is no stranger to RandB and soul, often citing the genre greats as inspiration. “Working with Mary J. Blige is one of the biggest highlights of my career so far. I remember holding her album in my hands in the car when I was a young boy, to meet your idols is a magical thing, but to work with them is truly a dream come true.”

“I’m so honored to have had the chance to work with Sam Smith,” say Mary J. Blige. “Sam’s true soulful voice... is the first of this kind I have heard since Luther Vandross, Freddie Jackson and all the great soulful male voices from the ‘80s. I’m completely blown away by his talent, soul and the sincerity.”

“Stay With Me” is the lead single from Smith’s long-awaited debut, In The Lonely Hour which was released in the UK last week and climbed straight to No. 1, as Smith earned the fastest-selling album in 2014, and knocked Coldplay’s Ghost Stories from the top of the chart.

Smith recently announced he will celebrate the release of In The Lonely Hour with his fans, and perform a special concert at the legendary Apollo Theatre in NYC, upon which he will join the ranks of R&B royalty who have inspired him.

This autumn, Smith will head back to the US for a North American tour that will begin September 15 in Boston and hit major markets in the U.S. and Canada. Dates are currently on sale with several already sold out, including The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

SAM SMITH AUTUMN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

September 15               Boston, Mass.              House of Blues

September 16               Washington, D.C.          Echostage

September 19               New York, N.Y.             Hammerstein Ballroom

September 21               Toronto, ONT                Kool Haus

September 22               Chicago, Ill.                   Riviera Theater

September 24               Vancouver, BC              Orpheum Theatre

September 25               Seattle, Wash.               Paramount Theater

September 26               Portland, Ore.               Crystal Ballroom

September 30               Los Angeles, Ca.           The Greek Theatre

October 4                     Houston,                       Texas   House of Blues

October 6                     Atlanta, Ga.                   Tabernacle

October 7                     Nashville, Tenn.             Ryman Auditorium

October 9                     Dallas, Texas                House of Blues



UK AUTUMN TOUR

23rd October                  Glasgow                       O2 ABC

24th October                  Leeds                           O2 Academy

25th October                  Newcastle                     O2 Academy

27th October                  Birmingham                   O2 Academy

28th October                  Nottingham                   Rock City

29th October                  Manchester                   Albert Hall

3rd November                Cambridge                    Corn Exchange

4th November                 Bristol                           Colston Hall

6th November                 London                         Eventim Apollo Hammersmith


Available to buy on iTunes now: http://po.st/jsY5NY

For more information:    www.samsmithworld.com

Sam Smith Announces UK Autumn Headline Tour

Following a sold out 10 date North American tour last month Sam Smith is ready to bring his critically acclaimed live show back to the UK with a headline tour this autumn.  Sam’s forthcoming tour sees him perform across the country, culminating in a final show at London’s Eventim Apollo Hammersmith when he will bring hits ‘Money On My Mind’, ‘La La La’. ‘Latch’, soon to be released ‘Stay With Me’ and many more to the stage.

The past six months have been a whirlwind for Sam after topping the coveted BBC Sound Poll and winning the BRITs Critics Choice Award.  He went on to become the first ever Critics Choice Award winner to score a number one with his first single, the huge hit ‘Money On My Mind’.  This year has also seen Sam’s home-grown success catapult him across the Atlantic and with a recent performance on Jimmy Fallon alongside Disclosure and an unforgettable solo performance Saturday Night Live last week which saw him trending in the USA.

This summer Sam Smith will also be performing at festivals across Europe including Bestival, T in the Park, V and Optimus Alive as well as a show at Somerset House, that sold out in a matter of hours, and another sold out show at London’s Roundhouse.

Tour Details (all shows 14+):

23rd October – Glasgow – O2 ABC

24th October – Leeds – O2 Academy

25th October – Newcastle – O2 Academy

27th October – Birmingham – O2 Academy

28th October – Nottingham – Rock City

29th October – Manchester – Albert Hall

3rd November – Cambridge – Corn Exchange

4th November – Bristol – Colston Hall

6th November – London – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith

Pre-sale commences at 9am Wednesday 9th April and general on-sale starts at 9am Friday 11th April.

Pre-sale - http://samsmith.seetickets.com/tour/sam-smith