PRAISE FOR TOM A. SMITH 

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"I think he is going to be a big star". – SIR ELTON JOHN 

 

"“Go on Tom A Smith, this boy just keeps getting better and better“ –JACK SAUNDERS (BBC RADIO 1)

 

“This is Tom A. Smith and Little Bits, really good this." - (Jordan North, BBC Radio 1)

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"That new Tom A Smith tune really is possibly his best yet, I mean I keep saying that about everything he releases, but that one is such an anthem, it really is, and so inspiring too. Thank you Tom for your Little Bits..." - John Kennedy Radio X's (X-Posure Big One)

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"Meet Tom A Smith, now the wisened old age of 18, the indie-rock singer who is destined for great things…He makes sparkling, crunching indie-rock with the soul and melody of great pop tunes, present in tracks like Man Overboard and Could I Live With Being Fake. And the greatest thing about it all? The best is yet to come." – OFFICIAL CHARTS – ONE TO WATCH 

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New Bangers Playlist – ‘Never Good Enough’ – NME 

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“When most of us get to 18, we’re only just getting ready to start on life ‘proper’. Not Tom A Smith – he’s been playing gigs since he was knee-high to a bassist, and it shows.” – DORK

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“There's an age-old rule about working for 10,000 hours before you truly master something. Now, we can't verify if that's true or not, but prodigal songwriter Tom A. Smith must surely have clocked up 10,000 hours before he was even in his teens.” – CLASH 

 

"A restless rocky anthem to freedom from the Sunderland teenager who penned more than 150 songs during lockdown." THE TIMES (Best New Tracks, ‘Dragonfly’)

"While he may be in the primary stages of his career, it is fair to say that Smith's irresistible blend of visual mastery and explosive sound make him one to watch. " – WONDERLAND

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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 Star 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.

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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 festival’s 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.  

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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. 

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“It’s never normal. Every single time it happens it’s 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. It’s all I’ve 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.