A sold-out crowd at Croke Park witnessed more than football on Sunday. During halftime of the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Ireland, rising British singer-songwriter Myles Smith took the stage, delivering a heartfelt set that showcased why he is considered one of the UK’s fastest-growing music exports. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings may have been the official draw, but for many fans, Smith’s performance was an unexpected highlight.
Early Life and Background
Born June 3, 1998 in Luton, England, Myles Michael Smith-Thompson grew up in a culturally rich household with Jamaican roots. His childhood was marked by a deep love of music—he picked up the guitar before age 10 and soon began experimenting with piano and songwriting. By his early teens, he was performing at open-mic nights across Bedfordshire, steadily refining the folk-tinged sound that would later define him.
Although Smith completed his studies at the University of Nottingham, the pull of music proved stronger than any corporate career path. By 2019, he had committed full-time to building his craft, leaning heavily on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share acoustic covers and original snippets. This grassroots approach paid off, earning him early management and eventually a deal with Sony Music UK.
Breakthrough Hits
Smith’s breakthrough moment arrived with the 2024 single “Stargazing,” a sweeping folk-pop anthem that quickly became a viral sensation. The track climbed to No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart and cracked the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, peaking at No. 19. Its streaming success—millions of plays within weeks—turned Smith into a household name among younger listeners seeking authenticity in pop music.
Other standout tracks followed, including “Nice to Meet You,” “Solo,” and the emotionally raw “My First Heartbreak,” in which he opened up about the personal pain of growing up without his father. More recently, he teamed with American artist Shaboozey on “Blink Twice,” a transatlantic collaboration that was featured on the Madden NFL 26 video game soundtrack, further bridging the worlds of sport and music.
Smith has also released two EPs: You Promised a Lifetime (2024) and A Minute, a Moment… (2025), both praised for their intimate songwriting and polished production.
Awards and Recognition
Within just two years of mainstream visibility, Smith has earned high-profile industry honors. In 2024, he was named BBC Introducing Artist of the Year, and in early 2025 he captured the BRIT Rising Star Award, placing him in the same lineage as Adele, Florence Welch, and Sam Fender. With over 700 million global streams, Smith is no longer just a rising name—he is an emerging force in contemporary British music.
The NFL Dublin Halftime Show
Against this backdrop of momentum, the NFL invited Smith to headline the halftime show of its first regular season game in Dublin. On September 28, 2025, under the lights of historic Croke Park, Smith delivered a soulful medley that blended fan favorites with his chart-topping single “Stargazing.” Accompanied by Dublin’s Line-Up Choir, his performance struck a balance between intimacy and spectacle, drawing loud cheers from an audience that mixed die-hard football fans with curious local concert-goers.
“This feels like a major milestone in my journey,” Smith told Billboard ahead of the game, calling the NFL opportunity “a chance to connect with an entirely new audience.” The NFL, meanwhile, positioned his selection as part of its broader mission to link sports and culture during international showcases.
What’s Next for Myles Smith
Following the Dublin spotlight, Smith is set to continue his international push. He is scheduled to support Ed Sheeran on select European stadium dates in 2026, while also planning his own “We Were Never Strangers” tour stops across the UK and mainland Europe. Fans can expect new singles in early 2026 as Smith balances live commitments with studio sessions.
Industry insiders view Smith as part of a new wave of British artists poised for global crossover, blending folk sincerity with pop accessibility. If the NFL halftime stage is any indication, Myles Smith’s star is only beginning to rise.
