Sammy Rae & the Friends light up the Landmark Theatre
Sammy Rae & the Friends light up the Landmark
Review: The multi-genre act delivers a night full of positivity and powerhouse music for Syracuse fans.
Oddly enough, I had not listened to Sammy Rae and The Friends before the concert. Everything I had heard about them had been from friends and acquaintances who were dedicated fans. I think the universe was setting me up for surprise, and oh boy, it did not disappoint.
Shallow Alcove, a band that started right here in Syracuse, opened up for the band with a beautiful set of acoustic songs and covers. It was a lovely way to ease the audience in and make everyone comfortable. And then, after a brief intermission, the headliners stormed the stage.
It was the flash of rock, the soaring vocals of R&B and soul, and the smooth flavors of funk all rolled into a wholly unique musical package. “Blown away” would be an understatement. The feeling was more akin to moonwalking at a disco, or the incredible rattle of your head when a song in all its parts hooks itself into the base of your brain and tugs. The band’s music was unexpected, fresh, and pulsing with energy and joy.
But perhaps even more electrifying than the band was the audience. They were headbanging, bellowing, cheering, clapping, singing at the tops of their lungs with the band. It was a frantic and happy atmosphere. I don’t think I have ever been to a concert where the fans were so tuned into the energy of the band. It was a feedback loop that fed off the chemistry between the band and the audience, firmly maintained by the charisma of the titular front woman herself, Sammy Rae.
People tend to see things differently through the lens of a camera. It’s one of the reasons why I love being able to bring one to concerts. You get to capture the expressions of people as the music washes over them, as it connects with them. You get to capture musicians pushing further and further during a performance matching their fans. Being able to see Sammy Rae and the Friends, and their fans, through a lens only proved that their music is making their band mantra a reality. They are putting a smile on peoples faces. They are showing people they have a place and a community. They are opening up to us, as friends would.
