Halfway through the first leg of The Slightly Less Lonely Tour, Myles Smith stopped in Montreal for the first time on Saturday, October 26th. The tour, sparked by his TikTok successes and his breakout hit “Stargazing”, drew a passionate crowd to the Theatre Beanfield, eager to experience his emotional and personal sound live.
Smith opened the show with a story that many found relatable, sharing how just 13 months prior, he was working nine-to-five, yet felt compelled to take a leap of faith into music. Little by little, he built up the confidence to pursue his dreams—a journey the audience felt a part of as he shared his music and stories.
As a long-time concertgoer, I can confidently say this was one of the best shows I’ve attended, partly due to the show’s impressive punctuality and professionalism. Opening act Lily Fitts, an up-and-coming indie-folk artist, took the stage right at 8 p.m. Her set, a mix of released singles and unreleased gems, was the perfect blend of introspective lyrics about relationships, both romantic and platonic, leaving the audience wanting more. Fitts wrapped up her set with a cover of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season”, a sweet touch that brought me full circle since my first-ever concert, in 2019, was Kahan on that very same stage.
At 8:45 p.m., the band appeared, decked out in Canadiens jerseys, with Smith himself sporting the expo’s: Guerrero’s number 27. They opened with “River”, a powerful song choice that hinted at the raw emotion Smith would pour into the night. He followed with a haunting cover of “Sweater Weather” and then played his song “Solo”, stripped down to just Smith and his electric guitar before the rest of the band joined in. This interplay between solo moments and full-band builds continued throughout the night, creating a dynamic, and captivating experience.
Between songs, Smith shared deeply personal stories, connecting each to universal themes of love, loss, and growth. In one particularly profound moment, he performed “My First Heartbreak”, an acoustic unreleased ballad about his father. The crowd held its breath as he played, absorbed by the vulnerability of the moment. At the end of the song, he thanked the audience for the safe space we’d created, one that allowed him to share these personal pieces of his life.
One of the most memorable moments of the night was when Smith encouraged the audience to turn on their phone flashlights if they had ever felt alone or struggled with their demons. “And now,” he said, “in a moment of bravery, I just want you to show every single person here your light.” The arena glowed with tiny, flickering lights, each a symbol of shared experiences and resilience. He followed this heartwarming moment with his latest release, “Wait for You”, leaving a lasting impact.
Throughout the show, Smith’s connection and appreciation towards his fans was clear. He even performed “Stargazing” three times, each time with a different twist. The second time, he surprised everyone by jumping into the crowd and singing along with his fans, who were overjoyed to be part of the performance. Later, he asked the audience to put away their phones for one chorus to experience the music solely within the room. Even Lily Fitts joined him for this acoustic moment, creating a magical atmosphere where everyone sang and danced together. As the night wound down, Smith made a point to thank his band, crew, tech team, and venue staff for their hard work. Watching him interact with his bandmates and share hugs at the end, I could tell this tour wasn’t just about him—it was a collective journey with everyone involved.
Smith also surprised the audience with an announcement about his next project, titled A Minute, scheduled for release on November 8th. The news, now official, hints at an exciting new chapter for Smith. As I left the concert, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just witnessed something extraordinary. Smith’s openness, his gratitude toward his fans, and his raw, soulful music left a permanent mark. In a world that often feels divided, Smith’s concert reminded us all that we are, in fact, slightly less lonely.
It’s not too late to see Myles Smith live on his debut tour. He’s coming back to Theatre Beanfield next Wednesday, November 6th, and also stopping at MTELUS during the second leg of his tour on Friday, April 18th, 2025. Don’t miss out and get your tickets now!