Sam Smith’s London Coliseum Concert to Be Broadcast by the BBC
Written by WorldOneFm on September 3, 2026
BBC One and BBC Radio 2 will broadcast an exclusive special concert featuring five-time Grammy Award winner Sam Smith. Titled Sam Smith: Live at the London Coliseum, the performance will be recorded on Wednesday, 9 September, as part of the UK leg of Smith’s To Be Free residency.
Highlights from the concert will air during Jo Whiley’s BBC Radio 2 show on Thursday, 24 September, from 7pm to 9pm, alongside an exclusive interview with Smith. The television and radio programmes will later be available to stream on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
The concert is part of the BBC’s Summer of Music 2026 programming, which includes major music documentaries, live festival coverage and exclusive performances across television, radio and digital platforms.
As part of the To Be Free residency, Smith also partnered with BBC Introducing to give 10 emerging UK artists the opportunity to open their Manchester and London shows. From more than 1,500 submissions, Smith personally selected Nyah Grace, Will Parker, Bradley Jago, Becky Sikasa, Sebastian Schub, Tia Gordon, Taylor Bleu, Josie Oliver, Tamzene and Tyler Lewis to perform.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Smith said:
“My ‘To Be Free’ residencies across the world have been such incredible live experiences. I’m delighted to invite some wonderful new artists onto the stage for these shows and share in the moment with them.”
Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Popular Music TV, said the broadcaster was excited to bring the performance to audiences, describing Smith as “one of the UK’s most distinctive musical voices” and praising the artist’s long-standing relationship with the BBC.
Kelly Betts, Editor of BBC Introducing, added that the programme is focused on supporting emerging artists and said the BBC was “thrilled to bring together one of the world’s biggest stars with ten brilliant Introducing acts.”
The special broadcast will give fans the opportunity to experience highlights from Smith’s London Coliseum residency while also showcasing some of the UK’s most promising new musical talent.
