Samm Henshaw: It Could Be Worse… Tour
by yasmin
If you hadn’t heard of Samm Henshaw before tonight, consider this your introduction. The British singer-songwriter from South London made his debut in Singapore at the Esplanade Annexe Studio.
Known for his blend of soul, pop, and gospel influences, his latest album It Could Be Worse — initially released on vinyl— reflects his mastery of the genre. It only made its way onto streaming platforms just over two weeks prior to the show.
Samm Henshaw, Singapore | Credit: Yasmin Affandy (@yyayayyasmin)
On stage, that freshness of the album translated into a set that felt both intentional and personal, with Samm Henshaw carrying the warmth of the record effortlessly into the venue.
I got in just fifteen minutes before the set — the room cloaked in darkness, the audience hushed, all of us waiting for the lights to come up when he walked on. Instead, the lighting never fully lifted. Soft stage lighting sat gently over him and the band, keeping the focus tightly on his performance.
I spent most of the show at the back, and yet I never felt disconnected. The set was quietly captivating— a complete contrast to the loud, chaotic energy of most concerts. Instead, there was a sense of tranquility, with everyone completely drawn into the world of Samm Henshaw. Picture this: if your Instagram’s close friends had a concert feature, this would be it — intimate, relaxed, and effortlessly engaging. The quiet actually made the performance feel even more compelling.
Samm Henshaw, Singapore | Credit: Yasmin Affandy (@yyayayyasmin)
If you asked me, I’d say his setlist was carefully curated, with each song flowing seamlessly into the next. The sequencing of the songs felt intentional in echoing and preserving the mood of his album— almost like a live extension of It Could Be Worse.
He mentioned that his favorite song to perform was “Night Calls” — and honestly, there’s something about that one live. Samm, if you’re reading this, we definitely need a live version released!
The energy of the room peaked during the final few songs where he played more familiar hits like “Hair Down,” “Float,” and “Broke”. Not gonna lie — “Broke” was actually the first song I ever heard from him, so it was a blast to hear it live. I think the audience would agree, because the room came alive! At one point, he joked that at every city they aim for a “10” on crowd energy, but at this point they were only at a “2” — a challenge the audience happily met, bringing the room fully to life.
By the end of the night, it was clear how naturally his music translated live. If this was Samm Henshaw’s introduction to Singapore, it was an unforgettable one!
