The energy in the room was buzzing before the band even came on at SWX. There were smiles all around as the crowd waited for Sammy Rae and The Friends to emerge in all their joyful glory.
From beginning to end, this show was full of love and musical mastery. I have always been in awe of Sammy’s incredible vocal control but seeing it in person was something else.
We had our fair share of dancing, both on stage and in the crowd, and the songs that I’d had on repeat in my bedroom for years were reborn in a blend of improvisation, funk, and impeccable musicianship. These songs have seen me through many a big event: my first house move (Livingroom Floor), my time at university (Whatever We Feel), and been the remedy to my fair share of bad moods so to hear them live and better than ever was an absolute privilege.
There was even a perfectly executed Cover of Be My Girl by New Kids and Lay All Your Love by ABBA which got every single audience member singing along.
This was such a safe space for self-expression and kindness with an “all for one and one for all” mentality throughout. Sammy even finished the night in a ruffled tulle pride flag. The performance touched on mental health, self-love, and self-reliance, with the whole audience emanating the safety of one big family, all there to share in the pure unadulterated joy of music. Everyone in the crowd became one of “the friends” by the end of this sold-out belter of a show.
@anna.h_photos
Role: Photographer/ Journalist
Available for: Gig and press phototography, album shoots, music videos, tour coverage
Qualification: 1st class BA photojournalism degree
First attended gig: First ticketed gig I remember is Newton Faulkner but there was plenty of live music that I saw growing up in the folk scene in Cornwall
First gig shot: Rattler Fest for all three days
Dream gig: It's too hard to pick just one, and i'm lucky enough to have been able to shoot some of my bucket list bands already, so top 3 would have to be Frank Turner, The Hives, and Twenty One Pilots
