Last night was potentially the most excited I've ever been in my life.
I'd spent a couple of hours getting ready beforehand, with the gig's set list playlist on repeat, resurfacing some songs I'd completely forgotten about but absolutely adore.
In fact, scrap that, excited really was an understatement. I felt like it was going to be the best gig I'd ever been to - and I've been to a lot.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
I arrived to the AO Arena midway through support act Cat Burns' set, and on the way in noticed a flurry of people in brightly coloured outfits with smiles on their faces, all clearly excited about the adventure that awaited them.
On entering, I was so pleased to see that the arena was already packed full of people ready to experience something really special together. I thought it was amazing that, despite what you see on social media, Sam Smith has so many dedicated fans who truly love and support them.
I'd heard that Sam's tour was in three acts, much like a stage production, so I was ready for things to be super dramatic, and to hear some of my favourite music of all time.
Cat Burns was undoubtedly an amazing warm-up act, and when she sang 'Go', I was chuffed as it's a fantastic song that I've heard so many times. Her vocals were perfect, and I thought it had set the tone for what was to come.
After a short break, when the lights dimmed and Sam strutted on stage in amazing heels, with a clip-clop sound effect - it was dramatic. They revealed a huge golden nude statue on the stage, and proceeded to open with 'Stay With Me'.
When I say that this song is a thousand times better in real life, with backing vocalists and live musicians, best believe me. It was something else. It brought tears to my eyes to hear it right in front of me.
But if I thought the tearjerkers were over, I was oh so very wrong, because this section was titled 'Love' - so all their most passionate songs were going to be sung.
Next up was 'I'm Not The Only One', and you could hear Sam's amazing vocals loud and clear, but also the whole arena passionately singing along, and feeling every word.
I had peeked at the setlist prior (I'm so bad with surprises) and I was buzzing that one of my favourites 'Dancing With A Stranger' was going to finish off the first act perfectly. Alas, it wasn't meant to be.
Sam spoke to the arena, saying that when they toured five years ago, on 'The Thrill Of It All' tour, they said Manchester had been the best crowd, sharing that they were so excited to be here - and people screamed like maniacs, excited for what was next.
'Like I Can' got people up and dancing if they weren't already standing, and then 'Too Good At Goodbyes' brought the tone back to contemplative, but still fun.
Throughout the songs they did, Sam looked at ease, happy, and genuinely like they were loving life. Their vibes were rubbing off on everyone else, and the whole room felt filled with love. Everything seemed to be going perfectly.
That's why it was such a shock when there was a sudden pause in the songs, with an overhead tannoy citing 'technical difficulties'.
'Oh no!' I thought to myself, but ever the optimist I thought within five or ten minutes the performance would be back in full swing.
We weren't sure initially what was going on, but after around 15 minutes, we were told that the house lights would be coming on. At this point, I could see quite a few people heading for exits and getting restless, making the correct assumption that the show was not going to go on.
We sat for another ten minutes, hoping for good news, but the tannoy then notified us that due to 'unforeseen circumstances' the show was cancelled.
People began to boo, but it wasn't too loud, as people quickly contemplated that something must be seriously wrong for Sam to disappoint over 20,000 dedicated fans.
As I left, desperately trying to get a phone signal, other concert-goers looked absolutely gutted with some visibly in tears. I eagerly refreshed Sam's social media, and eventually, they posted a statement explaining why they had to abruptly leave the stage.
They said they were "excited" to "give Manchester an amazing show with a special surprise at the end." Rumours were circulating that Madonna was going to perform after an Instagram post teasing a collab between the pair - but if that was true or not, we'll likely never know.
In the statement, Sam said they "noticed something wrong" with their voice during the third song and tried "everything" to get their voice "back in gear", but it wouldn't.
I'm absolutely gutted for them, for me, for all the fans that were left sad last night rather than leaving after a night packed full of fun, but I wish Sam the speediest of recoveries, and I really hope they come back to Manchester as soon as they possibly can to put on the performance of a lifetime.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
