North Carolina-based indie pop band The Collection stopped at the Fillmore Philadelphia last Thursday in support of Sammy Rae and the Friends. The six-piece group is currently pushing their latest musical release “Sorry Baby”. They also surprised fans with brand new never-before-heard music during their live shows.
The Collection
The Collection kicked off the night with such incredible energy. The band consists of vocalist David Wimbish, bassist Hayden Cooke, guitarist Joshua Ling, drummer Joshua Linhart, keyboardist Sarah McCoy, and Graham Dickey on horns. Each member brought unique charisma and musical skills to their performance that, when combined, created a very genuine and enjoyable show. David Wimbish also lent his talents to both the acoustic guitar and the keyboard throughout the show, at some points literally climbing up onto the keys while still singing and playing the guitar. It was as hilarious as it was impressive. Graham Dickey and Hayden Cooke were also notable highlights. They seemed to be having a blast together during the whole set. I’m personally a huge fan of brass, so it was a delightful surprise to see a trombone and trumpet in use.
One of my favorite things about The Collection is how personal their music is. Each song feels like a story being told by an old friend. Emotions, whether they be negative or positive, are always at the forefront. Don’t get me wrong; the musical arrangements and beautiful vocals are incredible in and of themselves, but the rawness of the lyrics and story-driven narratives are not to be ignored. When both brilliant instrumentals and dynamic lyrics are layered together, that is when the best kind of music is created.
The Collection played many of their most popular songs, including their latest release “Sorry Baby”. “Sorry Baby” is about not letting the opinions of others cement themselves in your head. The band’s overall message of “be yourself and live authentically” is mirrored perfectly in this soulful track. They also played a brand new song titled “Rose Colored Glasses” which is currently unreleased. “Rose Colored Glasses” is a fun and upbeat song and I’ll be on the lookout once it’s dropped. They concluded with the fan favorite “Won’t Stop Yet”, a fitting song to end their set with.
You can find additional tour dates for The Collection here. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Sammy Rae and the Friends
Sammy Rae and The Friends are a seven-piece pop-funk-jazz group who are currently on their “If It All Goes South” tour supporting new music of the same name. The band describes itself as a “collective of dreamers and artists [who] consider themselves a family first”.
The thing I loved most about both acts was how close the bands seemed to one another. The chemistry between the members of both The Collection and Sammy Rae and The Friends respectively was really enjoyable. I think that kind of connection makes for the best kind of show since it feels less like a concert and more like hanging out with friends.
You can find additional tour dates for Sammy Rae and The Friends here. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
