[IN THE CROWD] Myles Smith @ Rescue Rooms, Nottingham for BRITs Week With War Child - 24.02.26

On 24th February, Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms felt less like a venue and more like a living, breathing amplifier. BRITs Week 26, delivered by DHL for War Child, rolled into the city with Myles Smith at the controls, and from the first note it was clear this was not going to be a gentle evening.

He opened at full throttle, his powerful vocal instantly filling every corner of the packed-out room. There was no tentative warm-up, just straight into it, backed by a full band whose chemistry was as impressive as it was infectious. They moved as one unit, locked in and clearly enjoying the moment as much as the crowd. In a venue as intimate as Rescue Rooms, that kind of energy feels magnified. Every drum hit thudded through your chest, every guitar line shimmered against the ceiling.

“Stargazing” sparked one of the loudest sing-alongs of the night, the chorus echoing back at him from a crowd that spanned generations. “Nice to Meet You” and “Stay (If You Wanna Dance)” kept the pace high, while “Gold” added another punch of feel-good momentum. “Drive Safe” brought a slightly more reflective shift in tone, but even then, the room stayed locked in, swaying and singing along word for word.

Throughout the set, it was clear that this was not just another stop on a busy run of shows. Smith was constantly scanning the room, waving at familiar faces, pointing out fans in the crowd and chatting between songs. There was an ease to it, a sense that he genuinely recognised the people who had been there from the early days. In a year where he has stepped up to BRITs Rising Star winner and watched his profile soar, it was refreshing to see that he has not forgotten his roots. The loyalty clearly runs both ways.

One of the most endearing moments of the night came when his voice cracked mid-song. For a split second, it hung in the air, then he laughed it off, shrugged, and powered on without missing a beat. The crowd cheered even louder. It was human, unpolished and completely unbothered, the kind of moment that only makes an artist more likeable.

There was also a running joke from fans calling out about Niall Horan, hoping for a surprise appearance. Unfortunately, no guest slot materialised, but Smith played along with the comments, grinning and responding from the stage, adding to the relaxed, conversational feel of the night.

At one point, he paused to sign a fan’s sign held up near the barrier, another small but telling gesture in a show built on connection. The Rescue Rooms were filled with a mix of ages, long-time followers and newer fans alike, all singing back every lyric with unwavering enthusiasm. Every hook landed. Every chorus doubled in volume on its return.

Support came from Nottingham’s own Saint Raymond, whose set carried a weight that went beyond a standard opening slot. A fixture of the city’s scene since breaking through in the early 2010s, he delivered stripped-back acoustic moments that allowed his songwriting to take centre stage. For me, it was a full-circle experience. I have been a fan since 2013, and his music was one of the reasons I pursued music photography and journalism. To now be photographing him at a BRITs Week show and hearing acoustic versions of songs I have listened to for years felt quietly significant, a reminder of how far both artist and audience can travel.

The show marked the beginning of the final phase of BRITs Week 26, as the series builds towards The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard on Saturday, 28th February in Manchester. With the ceremony leaving London for the first time in nearly 50 years, this year’s BRITs Week has expanded across Newcastle, London, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Brighton and Manchester, bringing intimate performances to fans nationwide.

All proceeds from the series go directly to War Child’s vital work providing aid, education and specialist mental health support to children affected by conflict. With 1 in 5 children globally, over 520 million, currently impacted by war, the funds raised through these shows help rebuild young lives.

In a week that celebrates the biggest names in British music, Myles Smith’s night in Nottingham proved that growth does not have to come at the cost of connection. In the intimacy of Rescue Rooms, he felt like an artist who knows exactly where he came from and exactly who helped him get there.