Sammy Kershaw and Neal McCoy

Flytjendur

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  Sammy Kershaw

  Named after the northern winds that blow across Texas during the winter, Norther, the upcoming new album from Shane Smith & the Saints, is anything but monochromatic. Written and recorded during breaks in the band's touring schedule, the album captures Shane Smith and the Saints at their most colorful, offering up a hard-hitting version of American roots music that's influenced by country, folk, and roadhouse rock & roll. It's a sound that's been shaped by the road, where the Saints spent the past decade on tour, building a cult audience with each gig. Those years of raw, redemptive performances are now paying off — not only with headlining concerts at bucket-list venues like Red Rocks Amphitheater (which the group sold out in 36 hours) and the Ryman Auditorium, but also with an appearance on the hit TV show Yellowstone, where the Saints premiered Norther's final track, "Fire in the Ocean," with an onscreen performance.
  
  For an independent band like Shane Smith and the Saints, the work is never done. "It's like you can't help but feel like you've paid your dues to get to a certain spot, but once you get there, you realize you're just starting to touch the surface of the bigger picture," Smith admits.
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  Neal McCoy

  Fresh from the underground, bouncing through the German hip-hop landscape with gusto and creating a great atmosphere in the process – Rutger has done this like a pro in recent years. Having grown up in the serene community of Passau, the DIY MC, real name Jakob, raps about life in a small town, parties and hedonism in all its facets and colours over juicy techno beats in the 150bpm range. Tracks such as ‘Roll’ or ‘Jukebox’ (2024) prove that, despite his newcomer status, he’s already thought through his formula for a powerful club anthem in detail and can play it in many variations. Rutger has also been able to slot various features with other names from the German festival scene such as Jimbo, DJ Susi or JuleZ into the relevant playlists. Whatever this guy touches quickly becomes a well-kept tip for excessive partying or just a relaxed day at the lake with friends. The collab with Liebestrunken under the divine title ‘Entspannter Hase’ (2024) or the latest single ‘Freitag auf Montag Freestyle’ (2025) continue the glorious march of Rutger's positive vibe - a vibe that is infectious and celebrates the moment.

• OVG Concert Series