By: Sam Hoffman
The little alternative Brooklyn-based band, Sammy Rae and the Friends, is “pure serotonin.” They self-describe as “rooted in classic rock, folk, and funk and sprinkled with soul and jazz,” which is essentially a little bit of everything. Their music’s spirit was captured on stage in New Haven on February 10th like no recording could ever do, though don’t get me wrong, their records are excellent. As their name implies, this band is not only a group of friends but, ultimately, a family.
The concert opens with a band called the Funk Dogs, who are suited up in matching all-white tracksuits. I was pleasantly surprised when the complete brass band filled the venue with fun, upbeat energy. While they primarily played original songs, they wisely ended their set with a funky cover of Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten, something I never expected to hear. All the Gen-Z girlies, including myself, who grew up with this iconic song lost their minds while they scream-sang along.
Then, Sammy Rae and the Friends walk on stage. Surrounding the mics, saxophones, drum set, guitars, and keyboard is a campsite. This tour, called “Camp,” is decorated with a forest backdrop, trail signs, trees, a cooler, and the iconic National Park welcome sign. Though advertised as a concert, it is clear that this will be a full-out performance as the members (minus Sammy Rae) walk onto the stage in pitch-black lighting, only guided by the lantern light. They search for and ultimately embrace one another. Underscored with an instrumental interlude, Sammy Rae walks onto the stage. The crowd erupts. Sammy wears a cropped blue button-down, embroidered with a heart and 203 (her home area code) that she made specially for this show. She’s accessorized with a carabiner earring on one side and a fan she whips out at perfect moments. She does silly little dances, kicks, and backbends at any chance she gets. She gives camp in the outdoorsy sense AND the gay sense.
Sammy Rae explains how excited she is to be in New Haven. At first, I assume that she’s overselling her excitement to pump up the crowd; however, she explains that this is her homecoming show. She grew up here, in New Haven, and always dreamed of playing at College Street Music Hall. This concert makes that dream a reality. Next to me sits her middle school English teacher, who periodically turns to her husband to tell a little story about Sammy. Three rows behind me sits Sammy Rae’s first music teacher; he has the biggest smile on his face and throws his hands up in the air as she shouts him out during the set. Both are so clearly endlessly proud of her; it’s beautiful. The audience is surprisingly varied: older locals supporting their hometown success story, middle-aged hippies, and queer college kids.
The music is an absolute jam sesh and is so otherworldly. The energy is thick with excitement. The band debuts three songs from their new album, which all leave me at the edge of my seat. They also play their latest released song, “Coming Home Song.” On this tour, they are heading to each band and crew member’s hometown theaters all over the U.S.; so it is a coming home tour. In “Coming Home Song,” Sammy sings about going home and leaving “the light on for yourself” as you pick yourself up. Seeing Sammy Rae in her hometown, in her childhood dream venue, singing about making a home inside yourself is endlessly powerful. The band embodies found family and developing a home inside yourself while they all travel home on tour.
These ideas are not only shown through their lyrics, but also the music itself. Often, in bands, the instrumentalists are forgotten, and the singer takes center stage. For Sammy Rae and the Friends, each member has their moment to shine. The instruments are not “background” but rather an essential part of their music. The importance and power of the instruments is difficult to hear when listening to their recording, yet on stage, it is evident. Sammy Rae is happy to sit in the back with her friends during a sick five-minute drum solo or dance while the piano and tambourine go off.
Their songs are all about their little, simple moments together. In one song, Sammy Rae sings about them all happily sitting on the floor of their new living room together because they have yet to buy any furniture. The way the seven members interact is so wholesome as they spin one another, make silly eye contact, pass instruments around, and hype each other up. Love overflows on stage. Though this show was full of theatrical, rehearsed, and set-in-stone moments, it was also balanced out with organic interaction with one another and each audience member. Sammy Rae tells their listeners to “go tell somebody you wanna be friends with them.” They follow through on that message as they work to make each person listening a part of their extended family. There is nothing like the energy of live music, especially when the music is full of joy from yourself, your friends, and the little things in life.
