Arts & Entertainment

Sam Smith teases new music after two-year hiatus

fans are speculating that Sept. 8 will be the big reveal

Published

8 years ago

September 1, 2017

Mariah Cooper

Sam Smith (Photo courtesy of the Merriweather Post Pavilion)

Sam Smith is making his comeback this fall after a two-year hiatus.

Smith has kept under the radar since the release of his single “Writing’s on the Wall” for the James Bond film “Spectrum.” It’s been even longer since his critically-acclaimed debut album, “In the Lonely Hour” was released in 2014.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Smith thanked his fans for waiting for new music and teased a new release “very very very” soon.

“To all my beautiful fans, first of all I want to say thank you,” Smith writes. “Thank you for being so patient and for letting me have the past year to really escape into my mind & write music so freely. I feel so rejuvenated and have so many stories I can’t wait to tell you.”

“The wait is so nearly over,” Smith continued. “Something is coming very very very soon. I am scared & excited at the same time. I’ve poured my soul and heart into this record.”

A post shared by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Aug 31, 2017 at 7:59am PDT

Smith kept to his word and posted the first official news of new music on Friday morning. The singer posted a photo to Instagram which shows a Spotify ad in the Shoreditch neighborhood in East London. The ad features Smith’s face and the date Sept. 8.

No official news on what the date could mean has been given but there is speculation that is the date Smith’s first single from his sophomore album will be released.

Morning London x

A post shared by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Sep 1, 2017 at 1:11am PDT

Photos

PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

Published

19 minutes ago

May 22, 2025

Michael Key

D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

a&e features

Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

Published

4 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Kevin Naff

Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

*D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)*

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.

Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.

*The 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)*

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.

I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.