Just a skosh over a year after the last time they mesmerized fans in St. Louis, Sammy Rae & The Friends returned to The Pageant to put on one heckuva concert and show Friday night.
The group, who considers themselves chosen family first, swept through town toward the end of the spring leg of their tour supporting their first full-length album, Something For Everybody. The buoyant energy throughout the night radiated across the crowded room full of fans, mostly in their early 20s with many dressed to dazzle.
The ensemble radiates a warm, safe, positive energy, bringing a dynamic, nearly 2-hour explosive spirit of fun and joy, that includes an array of musical genres from folk and funk to some soul and jazz with a bit of jam to their concert. Mixed in were moments of stillness where Rae would address the crowd on a more serious note. Before introducing the acoustic, folky “David,“ Rae spoke about the importance of mental health and said, “It’s important to be okay with the feelings you have.”
From the joyful “Thieves” to the grooving “Good Time Tavern” to the languid, soulful “Coming Home Song,” Sammy Rae & The Friends truly bring something for everybody.
Based out of Philadelphia, vocalist/guitarist Zinadelphia opened the night with a 30-minute set of her mixture of neo-soul/jazz/funk with some songs including slight Middle Eastern notes. Her first time in St. Louis, she introduced the yet-to-be-released song, “The Seamstress,” by sharing a story about dating, and that this song was an analogy for that. With a chanteuse vibe, she also performed a sultry, slow cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and ended with “Love Over Glory.”
For more photos, check out: https://bit.ly/SRae25cz
In my work life, I help nonprofits and small businesses with media and public relations. In my what I love to do life, you can typically find me photographing either wild horses or concerts.
