Sam Smith takes to the stage in Dublin.

Freelance Reporter Aimee Smith  15th /April /2023

Pop singer and non binary artist Sam Smith took to the stage in Dublin on part of his Gloria world tour. 

The singer wore a sparkly corset on Friday night performance, the outfit attracted controversy by some homophobic critics. 

During the performance at the 3 Arena in the Irish capital, Sam, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, also donned a white shirt and tie. 

Smith opens up the show with his 2014 lovelorn mega-hit Stay With Me. It feels symbolic of Smith’s vast transformation. 

Sam tells fans “A lot has happened in the last five years,” which involved the singer coming out as non-binary.  

The was show billed as a three-act journey through sections titled Love, Beauty and Sex: emotive yet plodding piano ballads; ostentatious guitar solos; the band huddling up for the sit-down acoustic section. 

Despite the grandness of Aphrodite looming over the stage, the show starts of slow but thankfully that dissipates around the halfway mark. 

 Dancers start grinding wildly over Aphrodite, as drums explode punchily during Gimme. 

I’m Not Here to Make Friends is a welcome, infectious disco groove with Smith’s vocal delivery elevated by clear joy.

 Disclosure collaboration Latch is a pleasingly garish blast of EDM before a choreographed dance routine to Donna Summer’s I Feel Love.

 Rainbow lasers shoot to the sky as dancers rip Smith’s shirt straight off their body.  Themes of joy and self-love, delivered via a roaring queer party, continue into the final act. 

Covering Madonna’s Human Nature, Smith buoyantly sings “express yourself, don’t repress yourself” while shirtless in leather shorts and fishnets – it’s a powerful moment of proudly owning and reclaiming a body that has been subject to bullying. 

 The finale is a supercharged sexualised romp. All leather, sweat, ferocious gyrating and Smith’s cheekily exposed bare arse. It reaches a riotous close with the 2022 smash single Unholy, as flames erupt and Smith emerges with devil horns and a fork. While those prone to complaining to Ofcom might see this as a descent into a world of sin and hellfire, for Smith, breaking free of tradition feels like heaven.

Sam should be very proud of his performance tonight as pop concerts over recent years have been static and boring, not since the days of Madonna, Frankie Goes to Hollywood have concert shows caused so much controversy from those homophobic, narrow minded critic and individuals who can't accept those who dare to be different.

Sam is beacon of hope to the everyone including LGBTQ community and those individuals who don't want follow the norm.