Sam Smith Brings Out Sienna Spiro for a Powerful Surprise Duet at San Francisco Residency

Fans attending Sam Smith’s To Be Free: San Francisco residency at the historic Castro Theatre were treated to a special surprise last night. The multi-Platinum, GRAMMY®, BRIT, Golden Globe, and Oscar-winning artist welcomed rising singer Sienna Spiro to the stage for an unforgettable duet during the intimate show.

DIE ON THIS HILL

The performance took place at the Castro Theatre — a landmark venue in the heart of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ cultural district — which recently reopened after undergoing two years of renovations. Sam’s residency is helping celebrate the theater’s long-awaited return, offering fans rare, close-up performances in the iconic space.

During the set, Sam performed a mix of beloved hits and previews of unreleased music. But one of the most memorable moments of the night came when Sienna Spiro joined them on stage. Together, the two delivered a stunning duet of Spiro’s breakout hit “Die On This Hill,” giving the audience a powerful live interpretation of the song.

The collaboration also marked a full-circle moment for the pair. Just months earlier, Sienna opened for Sam during their To Be Free: New York City residency in late 2025, where the two shared the stage for a moving duet of Sam’s classic ballad “Lay Me Down.”

At just 20 years old, Sienna Spiro is quickly building a reputation as one of pop’s most exciting emerging voices. Known for her soaring vocals, emotional storytelling, and confident stage presence, she’s gaining global attention not only for her cinematic and soulful recordings, but also for her captivating live performances.

Earlier this week, Spiro launched “The Visitor Tour,” her first-ever North American headlining tour, with a debut show at the Troubadour in Hollywood. The performance drew rave reviews, with Variety calling it “thrilling” and praising Spiro as “about to become the world’s next pop vocal superhero… one of the greatest voices of her generation.”

Demand for the tour has been intense — the entire run sold out within seconds, prompting the addition of extra dates. Spiro returns to the Troubadour for another show this Friday before continuing across the U.S., wrapping the tour with back-to-back nights at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on March 17 and 18. She’s also preparing to release her new single “The Visitor” on March 13 via Capitol Records.

Meanwhile, Sam Smith’s San Francisco residency builds on the success of their “To Be Free: New York City” series, which began at Brooklyn’s historic Warsaw venue in October and extended through December due to overwhelming demand. These intimate shows give fans the rare opportunity to experience Sam’s voice and storytelling in a more personal setting.

The residency follows the release of Sam’s latest single “To Be Free,” a powerful track praised by outlets like The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Stereogum. Featuring vocals from The TwoCity Chorus, the song explores how vulnerability can open the door to courage, healing, and ultimately freedom.