As part of his impressive musical stay in New York, Sam Smith treated the Brooklyn crowd to a night full of surprises, bringing two of the world’s biggest names in music – Ed Sheeran and Brandi Carlile – to the stage for the 22nd show of his series of performances at the historic Warsaw Venue. In fact, they performed the duet “Who We Love” live for the first time, giving the audience an unforgettable moment.
Warsaw, an iconic venue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, has hosted some of New York City's most unique music experiences. The same venue where Jack White and Kesha once performed, Sam Smith brought his own touch of magic with his residency, “To Be Free: New York City,” a series of concerts that lasted nearly three months. The artist, who could fill stadiums around the world, chose a venue with just 1.000 seats to get closer to his fans. “I wanted to get back to stages where I can see your faces,” he told the audience with emotion.
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In his 22nd appearance, Sam Smith decided to make the night unforgettable. Among the audience were celebrities like Anna Wintour, Anne Hathaway and JD Samson, but the ones who really stole the show were his two unexpected guests: Brandi Carlile and Ed Sheeran.
Brandi Carlile, with whom Smith collaborated in 2018 on the song “Party of One” for the charity War Child, took the stage first. Their voices united in a powerful, emotional performance that moved the audience and proved once again how well-matched their musical sensibilities are.
Then Ed Sheeran, who was watching the concert from the VIP area with his wife, made the surprise of the night when he took the stage. Smith greeted him with a kiss on the head and announced that they were going to perform the song live for the first time. “Who We Love” — their joint song from the album Gloria of 2023. With Ed's guitar and Smith's distinctive voice, the stage transformed into a warm, intimate setting that balanced between simplicity and high artistic quality.
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The climax of the evening came at the end, when the two guests returned to the stage to sing along with Smith. “I'm Not the Only One”The song became a collective experience, with the audience participating, creating an atmosphere of emotion and joy. As many viewers commented, "no one can compare to Sam Smith's voice when he puts soul into his words."
Smith's residency in Warsaw is coming to an end, but it seems the artist is already preparing his next step. During his performances, he also presented new, unreleased songs, such as “My Guy”, a song he wrote “on a summer afternoon in Brooklyn, chilling out,” as he put it. The song was reportedly inspired by his partner, Christian Cowan, a well-known fashion designer, who was in the audience next to Hathaway and Wintour.
Smith's New York City stint was not just a series of concerts, but a musical experience that reconnected the artist with the essence of creation and communication with the audience. "It's beautiful to be singing love songs again," Smith said, stating that after a long time he feels truly happy on stage.
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As the tour draws to a close, Sam Smith is rumored to be working on a new album in 2026, with “My Guy” already being considered as a lead single. If the Warsaw night is any indication of what’s to come, then the next chapter in his career promises even more musical sensitivity, honesty, and powerful collaborations.
What is certain is that Smith's connection with his audience remains stronger than ever. Each performance at Warsaw proved that, beyond accolades and huge stages, what matters most is the true connection with the music and the people.
