With billions of streams, a BRIT Award win, a place on Time magazine’s 100 Next list and now the cover of British GQ, Myles Smith is fast becoming one of the most influential voices in British pop — but the Lutonian hasn’t forgotten where it all started.
“From Luton to the cover of GQ. life’s wild,” the 27-year-old posted on Instagram as he was unveiled as the cover star of the latest edition of the prestigious men’s lifestyle magazine, adding: “Still figuring out how this happened, but I’m grateful for every step. Thanks for riding with me through it all.”
In GQ’s June 25 issue, the magazine charts Smith’s journey from local open-mic nights in Luton pubs to touring with his idol Ed Sheeran across Europe. The story paints a picture of a driven artist who balances tender storytelling with business-minded ambition.
Smith recalls his early connection with Sheeran — initially inspired to pick up a loop pedal after hearing his smash-hit album ‘+’ at age 13 — and later performing his deeply personal track ‘My First Heartbreak’ for Sheeran, who “had a little cry”, telling the Lutonian “This song is incredible”. Their friendship has grown organically, bolstered by shared gigs (including at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium) and a mutual respect fostered on tour.
The article highlights his grassroots beginnings: at Lealands High School, funding through Labour’s Building Schools for the Future programme introduced him to instruments, which he pursued during lunch breaks after teaching himself guitar and piano via YouTube.
That foundation carried through to TikTok, where around 15 self‑posted videos led manager Eric Parker to approach him directly. It would be a relationship that would transform his online popularity into mainstream success.
Despite his meteoric rise, including vocal praise from former US President Barack Obama — Smith remains grounded. He reflects: “Last year was the most intense… the most exciting and funny and anxiety‑ridden”.
After a gruelling tour stint that saw him perform through illness, including taking a cocktail of medication before a show, he ultimately prioritised pacing and mental health, including therapy and even a precautionary brain scan .
Myles is open about the balance between emotional richness in his songwriting and a pragmatic understanding of the music industry. He admires peers like Hozier and Dan Smith (Bastille) and hopes to expand beyond “stomp‑clap‑holler” folk-pop into new musical directions — and this week he teased a dance-infused track, ‘Motion,’ on social media.
As he gears up for more touring, including headline shows and major festival slots, his guiding philosophy is simple: “Moments fade, but careers take time”.
But from Luton’s pubs to magazine covers and stadium stages, Smith is clearly far from done.
