After returning earlier this year to deliver his new single “Little Bits”, which has since been supported by the likes of BBC Radio 1, Radio X, Apple Music and many more, fast-rising Sunderland artist Tom A. Smith now looks to showcase his hometown with the track’s new video.
Filmed between two of Sunderland’s most illustrious venues, The Fire Station and Independent Sunderland, the new visuals for “Little Bits” not only give us a taste of Smith’s vibrant on-stage energy, but also showcase the electrifying ambience of grassroots venues in his hometown.
Speaking about the new video, he said, “I wanted to show what Sunderland had to offer so filming at two music venues The Fire Station and local grassroots venue Independent was really important to me. I think we’ve captured a load of the energy of a live performance too.”
Tom’s picked up some great One To Watch in 2023 nods including BBC Introducing North East, Matt Wilkinson at Apple Music, the Daily who exclaimed – “Guitar music is back, alive and kicking with the likes of Sam Fender and Tom A Smith keeping it alive. Smith’s work so far has seen quality riffs, great vocal qualities and a strength in sound, scope and style that should hopefully steer him up the rising ranks. There is clear direction for his music and with a slot on BBC Music already, Smith could be seeing that rise flare up sooner rather than later. His work is tremendous, and the best place to start is Dragonfly.” and THIS FEELING’s Big in 2023 picks for GIGWISE who said Tom has “Achieved more at 18 than most do in a lifetime, and he’s just getting started. An exceptional talent and human being.”
“Little Bits” follows an incredible whirlwind of live performances last year, including being selected by Elton John to join him at his British Summer Time show at Hyde Park, appearances at Glastonbury, Barn On The Farm, F1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and opening Leeds Festival to more than 6000 music fans. He was also announced as Apple Music’s Up Next artist for September and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist of the month.
Having already played a ton of gigs throughout the last two years, including supporting Courteeners, Miles Kane, Martha Hill, Vistas, Blondes, The Pale White, Eliza and The Bear, Gang of Youths, and Sunset Sons, as well as shows at The Great Escape and Neighbourhood Weekender, Tom A. Smith looks set to continue his busy live schedule throughout 2023 as well.
Despite still being a teenager, Sunderland-based newcomer Tom A. Smith has already achieved more than most artists do in a lifetime. He played his first ever gig aged just eight, supporting local psychedelic rockers Detroit Social Club at legendary Newcastle venue The Cluny, performed at Glastonbury before he was even in secondary school, and Tim Burgess handpicked him to play his stage at Kendal Calling, making him the festivals youngest ever performer. He has played live with local hero Sam Fender and Catfish & The Bottlemen, as well as supported other Northern acts on the rise like The Lathums and The Mysterines.
Tom A. Smith’s self-uploaded performances have won him fans amongst rock and roll royalty. The week David Bowie passed, Bowie’s widow Iman shared Smith’s cover of Bowie’s Lazarus online, commenting on the emotional impact of Smith’s rendition. Blossoms recognised him from one of his videos as he was watching them from the crowd and invited him backstage, while Morrissey – not a man known to lavish praise or endorsements on others – played Smith’s cover of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want as his walk on music on a recent US tour. Nile Rogers, James frontman Tim Booth, indie legends The Coral, and many more besides have shared footage of his performances across the globe.
“It’s never normal. Every single time it happens its surreal, reflects Smith on the countless pinch-me moments of his career so far. Music is always what I wanted to do. I just fell in love with it. I asked for guitar lessons when I was four. Its all Ive ever known.
Having achieved so much so soon you might think Smith would be content to rest on his laurels a bit. Been there, done that sort of thing; fire up the PS5 and tell your mates about that time you played Glastonbury. All his achievements so far have done though is to stoke Smith’s creative fire and make him want to achieve more as an artist, a performer and a songwriter.