Sam Smith turned the Sydney Opera House into a confessional. Set against the venue’s iconic sails in January 2018, this intimate concert for Nova’s Red Room series gave a few hundred lucky fans a rare close-up of the British superstar’s vocal power in a world-renowned setting. Smith opened up between songs with heartfelt stories about love and life, revealing the roots of their most powerful ballads. The setlist blended beloved classics with newer material from ‘The Thrill Of It All’, moving through soaring takes on “I’m Not The Only One” and “Stay With Me” and soulful readings of “Burning” and “Pray.” A stripped-back version of the Disclosure collaboration “Latch” showed off Smith’s range, and a closing “Too Good at Goodbyes” sealed an unforgettable night that confirmed Smith as one of their generation’s most compelling live performers.