5 Reasons We’re Excited to See Sam Smith at WayHome 2015

We’re in the final count down now with WayHome less than a week away! Can you believe it? The line ups are complete, the day to day schedules have been set and I’m counting down the minutes until the first day of the festival. I think the inaugural line up is stellar and I’ll be staying to the very last minute to see the wonderful, Sam Smith. I’ve been a fan since the first time I heard Sam.

Sam’s star trajectory has appeared to be short, it’s hasn’t been. He’s been involved in the music industry long before his appearance on Disclosure’s breakthrough single “Latch”. A graduate of Youth Music Theatre UK, Sam started his path in music studying and singing Jazz.

The Stories

Sam tells stories that speak to our hearts. He writes and sings about hard times we’re sometimes faced with. He does it with grace and he does it in a way that can bring tears to your eyes. Genuine,  accurate and heart wrenching .

In 2013 Sam uploaded an acoustic video for Lay Me Down, to YouTube. Just Sam, a piano and a cello, it’s magic. The last track on the standard album “In The Lonely Hour”, this song is heartbreaking.  If you haven’t heard it, here it is.

Sam’s Return to Canada

We’re very excited that WayHome will be Sam’s return to Canada. Sam’s touring schedule has been crazy and there have been some cancelled shows. Not to worry #WayHomies Sam’s just been checked out and he’s A-OK!

Awkward Charm

We’ve read about it and seen it on video. But I can’t wait to see it person.

We, like Sam, would like to thank that man for breaking Sam’s heart. We wouldn’t have the songs that we do without him. Having said that, we’d love to see Sam in love and writing about the other side too.

Range

Have you heard him? Strong and steady in both the upper and lower registers. He hits the bottom and the top of his range in “I’m Not The Only One”.

I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing this in person. Technically a baritenor  with a range from C3 to G5, that’s 2 octaves and 4 notes, impressive stuff.

We Need a Diva

Yeah, I said it. Sam is a Diva, but I mean that in the best possible way. I’m not talking about being difficult and asking for crazy stuff in his rider. I’m talking about the diva attitude. He’s got it in spades. Sam lists his influencers as Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Adele, Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston. Those are some pretty amazing Diva coaches. Go Sam!

Huge props to the festival organizers for booking Sam Smith before he won his Grammys, another example of Republic Live identifying emerging talent.