Sam Smith review

SAM SUNG: Capitol’s Sam Smith, who made a huge impression with his Troubadour show in December, made a triumphant return to L.A. last night with the first of two sold-out shows at the Belasco Theater. “I expected a much smaller place,” said the British vocalist, seemingly humbled by the size of the crowd. After kicking off with a handful of songs from his forthcoming U.S. release, In the Lonely Hour (due on 6/17), Smith surprised the audience with an R&B/funk-tinged rendition of the Arctic Monkeys’ “Do I Wanna Know.” The crowd sang along with standout tracks like “Stay With Me,” “Money on My Mind,” Naughty Boy’s “La La La” and Disclosure’s “Latch.” Spotted in the audience were Robert Pattinson; Calvin Harris; Rita Ora; Ryan Cabrera; Kimmel’s Scott Igoe; a fleet of western radio programmers, including Michael La Crosse (KOST), John Michael (KAMP), Chris Patyk (KEGY), J Love (KMXB), Quay (KFYV), Chris Peters (KRQ, KMIY); and the label’s Steve Barnett, Greg Thompson, Dennis Reese, Joe Rainey, Brien Terranova and Megan Youngblood. Overheard from more than one typically jaded industryite: “If I could get tickets I would definitely go again tomorrow night.” The singer was in such a good mood that he agreed to pose for a pic with our own Todd Hensley, who asked if he was related to other famous Smiths, like Will and Maggie. (4/16p)