SAMMY RAE & THE FRIENDS: DENVER, CO
Sammy Rae & The Friends
at Gothic Theatre in Denver, CO
words by Emmy Spaar, photos from the LA date by John Matlosz
While it’s obviously magical to get to see your favorite bands live and hear the songs you’ve had on repeat for years, there’s something special about attending a concert where you know almost nothing about the band. Or very little, at least. There’s no disappointment if they don’t play your all-time favorite song or jealousy when you don’t make it to the very front. When I showed up to Sammy Rae and The Friends at Denver’s Gothic Theatre, it was with an open mind and very little expectations. By the end of the night, I didn’t even need to hear Sammy Rae’s request: to tell a friend about them. Streaming their music is one thing but seeing them perform is an experience any fan of live music should experience.
From the moment they hit the stage, I knew this wasn’t going to be an average concert. Each of the six Friends had their own entrance—starting with their drummer and ending with Sammy Rae, they layered on instruments from the shaker, to the saxophone, to the bass, and finally vocals. From then on the music never stopped! Every transition was sung and backed by the band as Sammy Rae welcomed us with her voice that is simultaneously light and powerful. Her vocal prowess could and should have its own article, but I’ll say that her incredible range, control, and sheer technique alone make her a force to be reckoned with—add on her magnetic stage presence and charisma, and she’s a star. She sang her excitement that we’d made it tonight, her shock at how many people fit in this space, and her assurance that their show was a safe space for any and all people. Looking through the crowd and seeing the tears streaming down people’s faces and arms linked around one another, I knew that I was in for a unique and extraordinary experience.
Sammy Rae claimed that “The Friends” were six of the best musicians in New York City, and I have to agree. My favorite part had to be the two saxophones—band members Kellon Reese and Max Zooi were absolutely unreal, and the brass solos in each song were so vibrant and joyful. The other four musicians were each fantastic in their own right, and the respect and love they have for each other was tangible from the crowd. I felt that I was seeing seven people at the peak of their powers doing what they were born to do. They had some serious moments, but for the most part their songs, which struck me as a jazz, reggae, rock and roll hybrid, had the entire crowd dancing and singing along. Their style seems so timeless and accessible to all because its rooted in sheer musicality, seven talented people bringing their instruments together to create something authentic and just plain fun. They all meshed together seamlessly, put on full display during the song ‘Let’s Throw a Party!’ when they somehow managed to play their instruments and run around the stage without colliding.
In addition to running around, their physicality and dance moves brought even more fun and excitement to what was already an impressive set. Their choreographed moments together and use of props—Sammy Rae donned a 1960’s style hat for crowd favorite ‘Jackie Onassis’—might have been silly and gimmicky on a less talented bunch, but here it was simply charming. They were so accessible and not just because of their profound message Sammy Rae articulated at the end of the show. Throughout the night, she frequently wore articles of clothing audience members tossed to her, signaling to me this was a regular thing: an oversized jean jacket during the groovy number ‘Denim Jacket,’ a sparkly sequin coat for the irresistibly danceable ‘Follow Me Like the Moon’, and a funny floral hat handed directly to her from someone in the balcony. They even set up a moment during the encore for a proposal, further emphasizing how they really saw and appreciated everyone who came out to support them and wanted to include them all.
If I could share one takeaway from my evening with Sammy Rae and The Friends, it would be their mantra which they used to close out the night: “go put a smile on somebody’s face, go tell somebody they’ve got a place in this world, go tell somebody you wanna be friends with them.” These simple instructions really sum up the whole night, and the timeless joy, spirit, and talent Sammy Rae and The Friends brought to Denver.
I can’t wrap up talking about this show without mentioning the opener, the self-proclaimed “sweet potato band” YamHaus. Listening to these four for thirty minutes alone would have been worth it—they had several upbeat poppy songs that had the crowd jumping up and down, but a few of them hit harder with the drummer and guitarist absolutely shredding. They’re returning to Denver in 2023, and I’m so curious to see the direction they take as they continue to evolve as a band.
SAMMY & THE FRIENDS
from The Fonda in Los Angeles, CA
