Sam Smith is heading to San Francisco for an eight-night residency called “To Be Free: San Francisco.” The “Stay With Me” singer will perform at the historic Castro Theater in February 2026. Tickets go on sale on October 7.
“I LOVE San Francisco, and The Castro has been so important to the Queer community over the years,” Smith said. “These shows will celebrate the official reopening, so it’s an honor to be part of this iconic venue’s history.”
Along with the residency announcement, Smith released a cover of Bill Withers’ classic “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The video was filmed in the Castro neighborhood, a key location in LGBTQ+ history and a vibrant part of the community. In the clip, Smith starts in the theater and then interacts with the diverse crowd on the streets before performing on the iconic stage.
Before the San Francisco shows, Smith will have another residency on the East Coast. Starting later this month and running through December, they will perform 24 intimate shows at the Warsaw Theater in Brooklyn, New York. This residency is also named after Smith’s recent single “To Be Free,” released in July.
“I’ve never had a recording experience like I did making this song,” Smith shared. “It’s one live performance with just me and my friend Simon. I wrote it five years ago but knew it wasn’t right for my last album, Gloria. It was created during a time when I became free within myself.”
Check out Sam Smith’s “To Be Free” now!
