# To Be Free (concert tour)
**To Be Free** is a series of multi-night concert residencies by the English singer and songwriter [Sam Smith](https://www.edgepedia.org/sam-smith), launched in support of their fifth studio album *[Hazel Eyes](https://www.edgepedia.org/hazel-eyes-album)* and described by the artist's label as their fifth headlining tour[1](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/to-be-free-concert-tour). Instead of a conventional arena tour, Smith plays repeated nights in theaters and small halls in a single city at a time, in a deliberately stripped-back, voice-centered format[2](https://prestigecorporateevents.com/blog/sam-smith-to-be-free-uk-2026). The series takes its name from Smith's single "To Be Free", released on 24 July 2025[3](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2025/07/24/sam-smith-shares-new-single-to-be-free-out-today/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Artist | Sam Smith, English singer-songwriter and five-time Grammy winner[3](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2025/07/24/sam-smith-shares-new-single-to-be-free-out-today/) |
| Format | Multi-night residencies in theaters and small halls rather than an arena tour[2](https://prestigecorporateevents.com/blog/sam-smith-to-be-free-uk-2026) |
| First leg | "To Be Free: New York City", a 12-show October 2025 residency at Warsaw, Brooklyn[3](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2025/07/24/sam-smith-shares-new-single-to-be-free-out-today/) |
| San Francisco leg | 20 shows at the Castro Theatre, 10 February to 14 March 2026, reopening the venue after a $41 million renovation[4](https://riffmagazine.com/news/sam-smith-20260210/) |
| Mexico City leg | Four nights at the Auditorio Nacional, 17, 18, 20 and 21 August 2026[5](https://blob.elporvenir.mx/pdf/ElPorvenirpdf2026-03-21.pdf) |
| UK leg | Ten shows, 3 to 19 September 2026: two nights at Manchester's Albert Hall and eight at the London Coliseum[6](https://www.nme.com/news/music/sam-smith-announces-to-be-free-live-residencies-in-manchester-and-london-buy-tickets-3955771) |
| Album supported | *Hazel Eyes*, released 21 August 2026 on Capitol Records UK[7](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/08/21/sam-smith-releases-fifth-studio-album-hazel-eyes/) |
| Typical setlist | Around 18 to 21 songs per night, mixing *Hazel Eyes* material, hits, and covers of Erasure, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Sylvester, and John Prine[8](https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/sam-smith-33d6703d.html?tour=53dd0f71) • [9](https://www.ticketmaster.com/sam-smith-tickets/artist/1785301?global=true&tt_scene=anchor_view) |
## Origin of the name
The residencies are named after "To Be Free", a soulful acoustic song Smith co-wrote and produced with their longtime collaborator Simon Aldred, featuring the TwoCity Chorus, a collective of recording artists from Philadelphia and New York City[3](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2025/07/24/sam-smith-shares-new-single-to-be-free-out-today/). Smith has said the song was written five years earlier, during the sessions for their previous album *Gloria*, and set aside because it did not fit that record; it was recorded as a single vocal and guitar take from start to finish[3](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2025/07/24/sam-smith-shares-new-single-to-be-free-out-today/). The song later closed *Hazel Eyes* as track 12[2](https://prestigecorporateevents.com/blog/sam-smith-to-be-free-uk-2026). The official video, directed by the French dance collective (LA)HORDE, was filmed at Warsaw, the venue where the residency would begin[3](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2025/07/24/sam-smith-shares-new-single-to-be-free-out-today/).
## New York City, 2025
The series debuted in October 2025 with "To Be Free: New York City", a 12-night residency at Warsaw, a historic venue in Brooklyn, announced alongside the single in July 2025[3](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2025/07/24/sam-smith-shares-new-single-to-be-free-out-today/). Music-News describes the New York run as a 24-night stint that extended into December and featured appearances from longtime collaborators including [Ed Sheeran](https://www.edgepedia.org/ed-sheeran) and [Brandi Carlile](https://www.edgepedia.org/brandi-carlile)[10](https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/189859/Sam-Smith-announces-intimate-To-Be-Free-UK-tour-dates-and-eight-night-London-residency). The concept was designed as a stripped-back, intimate live experience in which each concert blends long-standing fan favorites with previously unreleased material[10](https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/189859/Sam-Smith-announces-intimate-To-Be-Free-UK-tour-dates-and-eight-night-London-residency).
## San Francisco, 2026
**Reopening the Castro.** The second leg, "To Be Free: San Francisco", ran at the Castro Theatre from 10 February to 14 March 2026 and served as both the opening of a 20-show residency and the grand reopening of the venue after a two-year, $41 million renovation under Another Planet Entertainment[4](https://riffmagazine.com/news/sam-smith-20260210/). The theater had closed in February 2024, 102 years after first opening[11](https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/11/castro-theatre-reopens-queer-cultural-landmark). Smith became one of the first contemporary artists to perform on the newly restored stage[10](https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/189859/Sam-Smith-announces-intimate-To-Be-Free-UK-tour-dates-and-eight-night-London-residency), and called the opening night "by far the most special show" of their career[12](https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sam-smith-castro-theatre-21348039.php).
The opening night set the template for the series. Smith walked out without fanfare and opened with "Lay Me Down" beneath a single spotlight, wearing a custom [Vivienne Westwood](https://www.edgepedia.org/vivienne-westwood) look designed with creative director Andreas Kronthaler[13](https://first3only.com/music/live-reviews/live-review-the-captain-of-the-castro-why-sam-smiths-residency-is-san-franciscos-new-sanctuary/) • [12](https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sam-smith-castro-theatre-21348039.php). Both halves of the show incorporated an excerpt from [Harvey Milk](https://www.edgepedia.org/harvey-milk)'s 1978 "The Hope Speech" played over the speakers, a nod to the theater's place in San Francisco's queer history[14](https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/sam-smith-castro-residency-21343669.php/) • [15](https://sfist.com/2026/02/14/sam-smith-channels-chaka-khani-george-michael-and-bonnie-raitt-in-castro-residency/).
**Guests and finale.** During the San Francisco shows Smith shared the stage with guests including Hozier, Kim Petras, SIENNA SPIRO, Sekou, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and Saint Harison[16](https://prensaocesa.prowly.com/451310-sam-smith-anuncia-la-residencia-to-be-free-mexico-city-en-el-auditorio-nacional). On the final night, 14 March 2026, [Kim Petras](https://www.edgepedia.org/kim-petras) joined Smith to perform their Billboard Hot 100 number-one duet "[Unholy](https://www.edgepedia.org/unholy-sam-smith-and-kim-petras-song)"[17](https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/sam-smith-kim-petras-22071884.php).
## Mexico City, 2026
In March 2026, after both the New York and San Francisco residencies sold out, Smith announced "To Be Free: Mexico City", four nights at the [Auditorio Nacional](https://www.edgepedia.org/auditorio-nacional) in August 2026[16](https://prensaocesa.prowly.com/451310-sam-smith-anuncia-la-residencia-to-be-free-mexico-city-en-el-auditorio-nacional). The dates were 17, 18, 20 and 21 August[5](https://blob.elporvenir.mx/pdf/ElPorvenirpdf2026-03-21.pdf), and the 21 August show fell on the release day of *Hazel Eyes*, making it the album's de facto launch performance[18](https://latetown.com/sam-smith-to-be-free-uk-residency-hazel-eyes-2026/). The Mexico run also included a stop in [Guadalajara](https://www.edgepedia.org/guadalajara)[6](https://www.nme.com/news/music/sam-smith-announces-to-be-free-live-residencies-in-manchester-and-london-buy-tickets-3955771). For Mexico, Smith continued the Vivienne Westwood collaboration with a limited-edition shirt sold exclusively at the shows, with proceeds going to The Pink House, Smith's foundation supporting the LGBTQIA+ community[16](https://prensaocesa.prowly.com/451310-sam-smith-anuncia-la-residencia-to-be-free-mexico-city-en-el-auditorio-nacional).
## United Kingdom, 2026
The UK leg, announced in early July 2026, brought the series to Britain for the first time: two nights at Manchester's Albert Hall on 3 and 4 September, then eight nights at the London Coliseum between 8 and 19 September, ten shows in total[6](https://www.nme.com/news/music/sam-smith-announces-to-be-free-live-residencies-in-manchester-and-london-buy-tickets-3955771). These were Smith's first UK shows since the 2023 Gloria arena tour[2](https://prestigecorporateevents.com/blog/sam-smith-to-be-free-uk-2026). A fan presale ran on 9 July and general sale opened at 10am BST on 10 July[6](https://www.nme.com/news/music/sam-smith-announces-to-be-free-live-residencies-in-manchester-and-london-buy-tickets-3955771).
Across the UK dates Smith partnered with BBC Introducing, giving ten up-and-coming artists the opportunity to open the shows[7](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/08/21/sam-smith-releases-fifth-studio-album-hazel-eyes/). The label's announcement also lists surprise appearances from earlier legs of the series by Hozier, Ed Sheeran, Brandi Carlile, SIENNA SPIRO, Norah Jones, and Kim Petras[7](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/08/21/sam-smith-releases-fifth-studio-album-hazel-eyes/).
## Setlist and repertoire
Fan-compiled setlists from the San Francisco leg show an 18-song core: the show typically opened with "Lay Me Down" (eight of nine counted shows) and closed with "Hold On" (nine of nine), with no encore on most nights[8](https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/sam-smith-33d6703d.html?tour=53dd0f71). The set mixed *Hazel Eyes* material such as "My Guy", "Moondance", "When He's Gone", and "Hold On" with hits including "I'm Not the Only One", "Too Good at Goodbyes", "Dancing With a Stranger", "Unholy", and "Stay With Me", plus covers of Erasure's "A Little Respect", [Rufus](https://www.edgepedia.org/rufus-band) and [Chaka Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/chaka-khan)'s "Ain't Nobody", Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)", and [John Prine](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-prine)'s "Angel From Montgomery"[8](https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/sam-smith-33d6703d.html?tour=53dd0f71).
By the UK and Mexico legs the set had settled at around 19 to 21 songs and added more album tracks, including "Love Is a Stillness", "Everlasting Love", "Constant Companion", "Hazel Eyes", "My Oasis", "How Do You Sleep?", "Gimme", "Oh Mother", and "Burning"[9](https://www.ticketmaster.com/sam-smith-tickets/artist/1785301?global=true&tt_scene=anchor_view).
## References
1. [To Be Free (concert tour), reference entry, The Names Dictionary](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/to-be-free-concert-tour)
2. [Sam Smith UK Tour 2026: Dates, Album & Setlist, Prestige Corporate Events](https://prestigecorporateevents.com/blog/sam-smith-to-be-free-uk-2026)
3. [Sam Smith Shares New Single "To Be Free" Out Today, Universal Music Canada (24 July 2025)](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2025/07/24/sam-smith-shares-new-single-to-be-free-out-today/)
4. [Sam Smith ushers in a new era at the Castro with first of a 20-show residency, RIFF Magazine](https://riffmagazine.com/news/sam-smith-20260210/)
5. [Regresa Sam Smith a la CDMX con su gira "To be free", El Porvenir](https://blob.elporvenir.mx/pdf/ElPorvenirpdf2026-03-21.pdf)
6. [Sam Smith announces 2026 'To Be Free' live residencies in Manchester and London, NME](https://www.nme.com/news/music/sam-smith-announces-to-be-free-live-residencies-in-manchester-and-london-buy-tickets-3955771)
7. [Sam Smith Releases Fifth Studio Album 'Hazel Eyes', Universal Music Canada (21 August 2026)](https://www.universalmusic.ca/2026/08/21/sam-smith-releases-fifth-studio-album-hazel-eyes/)
8. [Average setlist for tour: To Be Free: San Francisco 2026, setlist.fm](https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/sam-smith-33d6703d.html?tour=53dd0f71)
9. [Sam Smith Tickets, 2026-2027 Concert Tour Dates and Setlists, Ticketmaster](https://www.ticketmaster.com/sam-smith-tickets/artist/1785301?global=true&tt_scene=anchor_view)
10. [Sam Smith announces intimate To Be Free UK tour dates and eight night London residency, Music-News.com](https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/189859/Sam-Smith-announces-intimate-To-Be-Free-UK-tour-dates-and-eight-night-London-residency)
11. [The Castro Theatre, SF's queer cathedral, has reopened, Axios San Francisco](https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/11/castro-theatre-reopens-queer-cultural-landmark)
12. [Platinum-selling artist called SF concert 'the most special' of their career, SFGATE](https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/sam-smith-castro-theatre-21348039.php)
13. [LIVE REVIEW: The Captain of the Castro, First 3 Only](https://first3only.com/music/live-reviews/live-review-the-captain-of-the-castro-why-sam-smiths-residency-is-san-franciscos-new-sanctuary/)
14. [Harvey Milk's voice echoes through Castro Theatre as Sam Smith launches 20-night residency, San Francisco Chronicle](https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/sam-smith-castro-residency-21343669.php/)
15. [Sam Smith Channels Chaka Khan, George Michael, and Bonnie Raitt In Castro Residency, SFist](https://sfist.com/2026/02/14/sam-smith-channels-chaka-khani-george-michael-and-bonnie-raitt-in-castro-residency/)
16. [Sam Smith anuncia la residencia "To Be Free: Mexico City" en el Auditorio Nacional, Ocesa press release](https://prensaocesa.prowly.com/451310-sam-smith-anuncia-la-residencia-to-be-free-mexico-city-en-el-auditorio-nacional)
17. [Kim Petras joins Sam Smith at Castro Theatre finale for 'Unholy' duet, San Francisco Chronicle](https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/sam-smith-kim-petras-22071884.php)
18. [Sam Smith Announces UK 'To Be Free' Residency Before 'Hazel Eyes' Album, Latetown](https://latetown.com/sam-smith-to-be-free-uk-residency-hazel-eyes-2026/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music institutions and events › Concert tours and residencies › Concert tours by pop artists › Pop concert tours*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license