Kim Petras to Debut New Music at Castro Theatre After Sam Smith Residency

The pop star is taking creative control after parting ways with her record label.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Pop singer Kim Petras is set to perform at the newly renovated Castro Theatre in San Francisco on March 15, the day after her 'Unholy' collaborator Sam Smith ends their 20-night residency at the historic venue. Petras recently requested to be dropped from Republic Records, citing a lack of creative control over the long-delayed rollout of her third studio album 'Detour.' While Petras plans to eventually release 'Detour,' she has started independently dropping singles from a new project called 'Pretour' to hold listeners over until then. Bay Area fans will likely be among the first to hear these new songs live at Petras' Castro Theatre show.

Why it matters

Petras' decision to part ways with her label and take more creative control over her music is a bold move that reflects the changing landscape of the music industry. As an openly transgender artist, Petras has already broken new ground, and her independent approach could inspire other musicians to assert more creative freedom. The Castro Theatre performance also highlights the venue's continued importance as a hub for LGBTQ+ entertainment in San Francisco.

The details

After the success of her Grammy-winning collaboration 'Unholy' with Sam Smith, Petras requested to be released from her contract with Republic Records, citing frustrations over the delayed release of her third studio album 'Detour.' Rather than wait for the label, Petras has started independently releasing new singles under the 'Pretour' banner. Her Castro Theatre show will give Bay Area fans an early chance to hear these new tracks live, just a day after Smith's 20-night residency at the same venue.

  • Petras is set to perform at the Castro Theatre on March 15, 2026.
  • Sam Smith is ending a 20-night residency at the Castro Theatre on March 14, 2026.

The players

Kim Petras

A German pop singer who recently parted ways with her record label, Republic Records, to take more creative control over her music. She is known for hits like 'Unholy,' her Grammy-winning collaboration with Sam Smith.

Sam Smith

A Grammy-winning British singer-songwriter who is wrapping up a 20-night residency at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco just before Petras' show.

Castro Theatre

A historic movie palace in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood that has become an important venue for LGBTQ+ entertainment and events.

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What’s next

Petras plans to eventually release her third studio album 'Detour' after parting ways with Republic Records, but in the meantime she is independently releasing new music under the 'Pretour' banner.

The takeaway

Kim Petras' decision to take creative control of her music career by parting with her record label reflects the changing dynamics in the industry, where artists are increasingly asserting more autonomy. Her Castro Theatre performance will give Bay Area fans an early look at this new chapter in Petras' career as an openly transgender pop star.