Sam Smith, Gloria Tour brings arena pop back to Germany
Published on 07/22/2026 at 10:24 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Sam Smith returns to German arenas with the Gloria Tour, bringing their mix of soulful ballads and glossy pop to Berlin and Cologne in May 2026. According to the official tour listings, the run follows extensive dates across Europe and North America.
Gloria Tour reaches Berlin and Cologne
The Gloria Tour marks Sam Smith’s first full-scale arena shows in Germany since the campaign around The Thrill of It All, with Berlin and Cologne positioned as key stops on the continental schedule. The Berlin show is booked for Uber Arena, one of the city’s main indoor venues in Friedrichshain, known to German concertgoers as a regular stop for international pop acts.
Cologne’s Lanxess Arena hosts the second German date, underlining the tour’s focus on large, multi-purpose arenas that can accommodate elaborate staging and production. For fans based in Germany, the pairing of Berlin and Cologne reflects the standard routing pattern for major international pop tours, similar to recent runs by artists like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa.
How Gloria shapes the setlist
The Gloria Tour supports Sam Smith’s fourth studio album Gloria, released in early 2023 and framed in press material as a more confident, queer-focused pop record rooted in house, R&B and choral influences. Where earlier tours revolved around piano-led ballads, this show leans into uptempo material such as Unholy and Gimme, alongside longstanding staples.
Live reports from previous dates on the tour describe a setlist that blends newer tracks like I’m Not Here to Make Friends with breakthrough songs Stay With Me and Too Good at Goodbyes, creating a narrative arc from Sam Smith’s 2014 debut era to the present. For German audiences, this means a balance between familiar radio hits and the bolder, club-oriented sound of Gloria.
Tour, charts and work at a glance
Sam Smith’s Gloria era connects arena dates, chart impact and a shifting pop sound; more coverage offers additional context for fans in Germany.
Where Sam Smith’s music sits today
Sam Smith’s catalog now spans four studio albums: 2014’s In the Lonely Hour, 2017’s The Thrill of It All, 2020’s Love Goes and 2023’s Gloria, moving from stripped-back soul-pop toward more electronic, club-facing production. German radio and streaming playlists typically rotate the early ballads alongside the newer singles, mirroring international trends.
In genre terms, Sam Smith sits at the crossroads of mainstream pop, soul and contemporary R&B, with an increasingly prominent queer club influence on recent releases. Producers such as Ilya Salmanzadeh and Stargate have contributed to the polished, radio-ready sound, while collaborations with house-focused artists underline the move toward dance-pop.
What’s next for the Gloria era
Following the current run of arena shows, including the German dates at Uber Arena in Berlin and Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Sam Smith’s official plans center on completing the remaining European and North American legs of the Gloria Tour. No additional German dates beyond Berlin and Cologne are confirmed at present.
Sam Smith at a glance
- Act: Sam Smith
- Genre: Pop, soul, R&B
- Origin: London, United Kingdom
- Active since: 2012
- Lineup: Solo
- Label: Capitol Records
- Key works: In the Lonely Hour (2014), The Thrill of It All (2017), Love Goes (2020), Gloria (2023)
- Current album/single: Gloria, released January 2023
- Charts / certifications: Gloria reached the top 10 in multiple European markets, while earlier single Stay With Me earned multi-platinum certifications internationally.
- Next live date: A future arena date on the Gloria Tour following the German shows, with specific city and venue details listed on official tour platforms.
Frequently asked questions about Sam Smith
When does Sam Smith’s Gloria Tour stop in Germany?
The Gloria Tour includes two German arena dates, one at Berlin’s Uber Arena and another at Cologne’s Lanxess Arena, positioned within the wider European leg of the tour.
Which songs are played on the Gloria Tour?
Setlists reported from earlier shows feature tracks from Gloria such as Unholy, I’m Not Here to Make Friends and Gimme, alongside older hits Stay With Me and Too Good at Goodbyes.
How does Gloria differ from Sam Smith’s earlier albums?
Gloria places greater emphasis on uptempo, club-oriented production and explicitly queer themes, marking a shift from the ballad-heavy, break-up-focused sound of In the Lonely Hour and The Thrill of It All.
Disclaimer: Chart positions, certifications and tour dates are subject to change; readers should consult official artist and promoter channels for the latest updates.
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