Sammy Rae & The Friends light up the stage at Bogart’s with “Camp: The Tour”
(Source: Sammy Rae & The Friends on Instagram)
Sammy Rae & The Friends began their journey across sixteen different states in the United States back in February, setting up their tents in 22 cities for their “Camp” tour. The band made sure to bring alongside a warm aura of home at every single stop; at Bogart’s in Cincinnati, The Friends immediately unpacked a plentitude of infectious energy as well as astounding vocal and instrumental performance as soon as they stepped out on stage.
The group opened with the fan-favorite “Talk It Up.” The rich chemistry between all of the band members glistened as Sammie Rae & The Friends proved that the stage was their home. Each of The Friends brought their own artistic flare to the concert, standing out individually and simultaneously intertwining as one passionate whole. They made it clear how much genuine fun they were having during their performance. “Talk It Up” was complete with unbelievable vocal runs and flawless saxophone solos; the band made the perfect song choice to get the audience pumped and prepared to settle in for the evening’s Camp session.
The deep connection between Sammy Rae & The Friends and their fanbase was significantly pronounced at the start of the show. Regardless of whether the audience composed itself of long-time fans, novice listeners, or those having their first campout with The Friends, Rae immediately declared the venue as a safe and welcoming space for anyone and everyone. Rae encouraged the audience and her bandmates to take a few moments and simply bask in the energy and release any lingering resentment before getting into the main bulk at the show.The band successfully cultivated an environment in which listeners could leave their worries outside and simply be their own authentic selves throughout the entirety of the show. It was a vulnerable and heart-warming moment to experience at the concert, as the gesture demonstrated just how much Sammy Rae & the Friends truly care about their listeners.
The vocal performance from Sammy Rae was equal parts skillful and playful, exercising pure euphoria and excellence throughout each and every song. Rae bounces around every part of the stage, yet she never fails to hit the highest of notes or pull off the craziest vocal stunt you could ever imagine hearing live. “Jackie Onassis” was an early highlight; it’s hard to believe that such a stunning recording could be replicated live, but Sammy Rae & The Friends achieved flawlessness with their chill-inducing live rendition. “The Feeling” also showcased tremendous vocal acrobatics from Rae. She hit an intricate and intrinsic run that divulged both ridiculously high whistle-notes alongside the smooth depths of her lower register. It was nothing short of incredible, sparking boisterous applause and screams from the audience. In a gap of silence shortly after the run was performed, one fan prompted her to do the run again; Rae pulled it off masterfully once more. Few can reach the bar set by Sammy Rae when it comes to live vocal performance.
The band performed several new tracks that instantly made their mark on the audience. The unreleased track “Luck of the Draw” details a day where nothing seems to be going the way it should be. While somber in lyrical content, Sammy Rae & The Friends saved the day of the audience with this stellar debut. The track was rivetingly remarkable from top to down, highlighting a killer instrumental solo from Max Zooi on saxophone that unified the bluesy tinges present throughout the track. The track flaunts Will Leet as a star both in his instrumental and vocal prowess. His guitar solo is sure to go down in rock history, and his swanky tenor growls and falsetto add a beautiful texture to the song in addition to an already impressive delivery from Sammy Rae. “Luck of the Draw” mixes jazz, rock, blues, and hints of psychedelia to create a mind-blowing combination that left fans wanting more even with its seven-minute run time.
The band closed their “Camp: The Tour” concert with the lead single from their upcoming album, “Coming Home Song.” This song choice eloquently encapsulates the whole Camp experience. While no one wishes to leave Camp, one can go home with the memories and lessons they have acquired and use this newfound knowledge to guide themselves through an uncertain future. Sammy Rae & The Friends aspire to help listeners heal and preserve their peace amongst difficult times; Rae sang “See, I was falling / And I picked me up” in “Coming Home Song” and inspired the audience to take charge in a sing-along, expressing the band’s deep-rooted desire for listeners to care for themselves and accept who they truly are even if it is a completely new or unfamiliar experience. “Coming Home Song” serves as an emotionally powerful and quintessential conclusion to “Camp: The Tour,” marking the show truly as a special experience for all who were fortunate enough to witness it.
Sammy Rae & The Friends will continue their US touring escapades next fall with their “The Album Tour.” Tickets are available for a wide variety of cities spanning from late September until November; you can check out their new dates here.
While fans anxiously await an official release date and album title, they can take solace in the fact that Sammy Rae & The Friends did give some clues to the secrets behind their debut album at their performance at Bogart’s; Rae excitedly exclaimed that the “album is coming sooner than you might expect.” Listeners might have to wait a little bit longer, but you can rest assured that the album will be coming home soon. You can check out their latest two singles from the album, “Thieves” and “Coming Home Song,” below.