Sammy Rae & The Friends Dance The Night Away
As I approached The Ryman I saw a line wrapped around the building. This isn’t unusual to see at shows, in fact I’ve seen it twice before headed to a Sammy Rae show. However, this time was a bit different. This wasn’t a general admission concert; everyone had a reserved seat. These were not folks eager to snag a spot at the barricade, they were fans dedicated to one of their favorite bands. Immediately a tone was set for this show: it was going to be a party.
Having already seen many Sammy Rae & The Friends shows I was already prepared for the “CAMP” tour. This was one of the most eccentrically dress crowds I’ve ever seen, vibrant and flowy outfits to match the band and their sound, a large collection of denim jackets for the bands 2019 single, and an apt amount of summer camp inspired outfits fitting of the tour’s name.
It is hard to describe Sammy Rae as anything other than exciting. You can dive into in-depth monologs of her and the band’s sound, long essays describing their stage presence, which I do plan on doing very shortly, but sometimes I find that keeping it simple is key. However, Sammy Rae might disagree. The eclectic arrangement of jazz, funk, and rock is hard to oversimplify, especially when you have so much talent to back it. The Friends, Sammy Rae’s backing band, are some of the most talented players you’ll see touring these days. They’re also some of the most energetic performers you’ll find— you’ll never have to worry about being the only person dancing at a Sammy Rae show, there will be at least seven others dancing with you. That alone should get you excited.
Hailing from Brooklyn, Sammy Rae & The Friends have crafted a very distinctive sound. Their poppy takes on jazz fusion, layered with elements of soft rock and vocal pop, is unequivocally their own. The Friends are also incredibly upbeat, not just in sound. Sammy Rae sings of self-empowerment, finding oneself, and a love for herself and the others around her. These songs are not just catchy, they’re joyous.
A fiery introduction, the band kicked off the night with the three-song run of “Follow Me Like the Moon,” “Talk It Up,” and “If It All Goes South.” The band kept an incredible pace, lighting a fire for the rest of the show. Throughout the night fans we treated to extensive instrumental additions and fresh arrangements to the band’s older catalog. Sammy also flexed her vocal prowess, roaring up from light and airy jaunt into a jaw-dropping power ballad and right back down again. During the band’s frequent jam sessions she often added her own instrument into the euphony, her incredible scatting ability. True to her jazz club roots, Sammy has no issue improvising, rarely ceasing her singing, even as she speaks to the audience.
Again, I can’t understate how talented The Friends are. Guitars, bass, drums and percussion, keys, synths, saxophones, melodica, flute, ukulele, accordion, the number of different instruments and on-stage combinations the band went through was incredible. The band also pieces together a unique setlist every night, something that’s rarely seen in today’s world of highly choreographed and pre-programmed touring. The band also stripped things back for a few songs, including their biggest song to date, “Kick It to Me.” Light tapping from a cajon, a light and bouncy flute, and, well, a melodic rhythm from the melodica gave way to the band’s return to their full kit and caboodle. The energy in The Ryman was unmatched at this point.
The band also gave the audience a sneak peak of their forthcoming album with “Thieves,” a departure from the band’s more pop-friendly discography. A notably darker groove, deep, repetitive percussion, and blistering guitar was highlighted by a ringing synth. The band clearly isn’t afraid of taking the next step, and it seemed to land with fans. Much like myself, the crowd seemed in awe. If it is any indication, I expect Sammy Rae & The Friends’ new album to turn some heads.
I started off in journalism primary as a photographer, so one thing I always notice about musicians, specifically these large, nationally touring acts, is their stage presence. I sort of gave it away earlier, but Sammy Rae & The Friends get a pass from me on this one. The energy was high from ever member of the band, rarely ceasing their momentum. Sammy Rae in particular couldn’t seem to stand still, strutting from either end of the Mother Church’s wide stage with the confidence of a seasoned veteran of The Opry, seeming unintimidated by the historic venue. This was the band’s Ryman debut.
Setlist
Follow Me Like the Moon
Talk It Up
If It All Goes South
Luck of the Draw
Living Room Floor
The Feeling
David
Kick It To Me
Thieves
Jackie Onassis
Denim Jacket -> Good Life
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State Song
I Fall to Pieces (Patsy Cline cover)
Coming Home Song
This really isn’t a show you should miss. I say this whole-heartedly as someone who historically isn’t much into jazz or jammy music, but I’ve been to enough shows to know when I’ve seen a good one. I’ve also been to enough Sammy Rae sets to know this isn’t a fluke, in fact they’ve only gotten better since I first saw them. Sammy Rae & The Friends are some of the best musicians on the road right now and some of the best entertainers across the industry. I’ll be honest, the smaller of a room you can see them in the better. These are shows you’re going to want to dance at, this is a live band. I would place money on the rooms that The Friends play over the next few years will only continue to grow.
You can find all of Sammy Rae & The Friends’ upcoming tour dates here.
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