This week, University of Nottingham graduate Myles Smith returned to Rescue Rooms, a venue he last played in 2019 for one of the intimate BRITs Week 2026 shows supporting War Child. Seeing Myles back in Nottingham, in a smaller venue that holds memories, made the night feel even more special...
Myles Smith is currently nominated for Song of the Year at the BRIT Awards for Nice To Meet You, and hearing that track live was electric. I could hear voices from every corner of the room, from the floor to the balcony, singing every word back to him.
With performances of other hits including Gold and River, as well as his newest release with Niall Horan, Drive Safe, the set list felt strong and carefully put together. His covers of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep and Bastille’s Pompeii were standout moments for me; he truly made them his own with his powerful, soulful, raw vocals.
Even though Myles has been touring the world, there was something nostalgic about watching him perform in Nottingham again. From where I was standing, you could feel the closeness in the room. I had constant goosebumps and genuinely left smiling ear to ear. One of the most emotional moments of the night came during Little By Little, when Myles paused the song to speak about mental health. He asked the crowd to turn on their phone torches if they related to feelings of anxiety or battling personal struggles. Slowly, lights filled the room. He then encouraged us to look at the people beside, behind and around us, reminding us that we’re all connected and never alone. I found this part incredibly moving; seeing so many people openly relate without fear of judgement was beautiful.
What also stood out to me was how much Myles connected with the audience. After nearly every song, he spoke with warmth and gratitude, making the night feel personal rather than just another show.
He ended the night with Stargazing, which has now surpassed a billion streams worldwide. Then, just when it felt like the show was over, Myles surprised us by performing it once more, asking everyone to put their phones away and truly live in the moment. As the chorus dropped, the entire crowd crouched down before jumping up together, singing every word at the top of our lungs. It was nothing short of an amazing experience.
For me, this was more than just a great concert. It was also a reminder of how powerful live music can be, especially in a city that helped shape this artist’s journey.
Myles Smith performed at Rescue Rooms on 24th February 2026.
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