Myles Smith, a 26-year-old from Luton, has reached incredible milestones in 2024, with a top-five single, a billion streams, a performance at Glastonbury, and a recent honor as BBC Introducing’s Artist of the Year.
Reflecting on his journey from a young musician to a charting artist, Smith says, “I finally feel comfortable in my own skin, and I feel proud of the music.”
Now in Montreal as part of his North America tour, Myles shares his insights with BBC Newsbeat: “This year’s taught me that expectations rarely match reality.
I didn’t expect to play over 100 shows or surpass a billion streams in a year.”
Myles’ breakout hit, Stargazing, struck a global chord, going platinum and even appearing on former US President Barack Obama’s summer playlist.
“I wanted to write something simple but relatable,” he explains.
Written in just 15 minutes, the song found popularity on TikTok, a platform Myles values for connecting artists with audiences worldwide.
Myles began posting covers on TikTok during the 2020 lockdown, with an acoustic version of Sweater Weather going viral in 2022.
“Social media is vital in an artist’s journey,” he says, seeing it as an opportunity to build a global community.
While some feel TikTok changes music to fit viral formulas, Myles disagrees. “It’s given me more freedom than ever. Times change—music adapts.
It’s about moving with the times.”
Despite the perks of a global reach, Myles recognizes the financial toll of touring.
North American tours are costly, and UK grassroots venues, essential to emerging artists, have struggled post-Covid. “Supporting small venues is fundamental to artists’ journeys,” he adds.
For Myles, the future of music lies in valuing and uplifting the arts, ensuring a sustainable path for the next generation.
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