Sammy Rae & The Friends and Rory Butler

Tipped by NPR as an artist to watch in 2022, high-octane Brooklyn collective Sammy Rae & The Friends make their Celtic Connections debut. Hot off their biggest US headline tour to date, they continue their mission to create community and forge new friendships at every joyous gig. While Rae herself cites guitar-heavy rock, folk, funk, bluegrass and jazz as key influences, The Friends’ backgrounds range across Latin, hard rock, Broadway and world music, all brilliantly blended by a line-up of horn section, rhythm section, keyboards and two backup singers, plus Rae’s superbly soulful vocals and accompanying ukulele.

“A feel-good blast of sonic sunshine. . . irresistible smile-inducing revelry” (Atwood Magazine)

Roddy Hart described Rory Butler as "the most exciting Scottish talent to emerge in recent times". His first single 'Black and Blue' was included on The Apple Music ‘Best of the Week’ and Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ Playlists. He's also opened for the likes of John Paul White (The Civil Wars) and folk legend, Richard Thompson. You need to be in the room to really understand the talent Rory has. Think of a young Jackson Browne pouring out his heart and humour in a thick Scottish lilt while John Martyn and Nick Drake scatter woody, earthy chords around Beverley’s feet. Here he presents his new EP Carefree.