Sarah Ann Rée

Sarah Ann Rée is a 25-year-old folk/indie-inspired singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. With a captivating voice and a knack for heartfelt storytelling, Sarah’s music takes listeners on a journey through personal experiences and reflections. Drawing inspiration from artists like Joni Mitchell, Adrianne Lenker, and The Weather Station, Sarah blends folk-infused melodies, interesting chord progressions in alternate tunings, and introspective lyrics. Trained as a classical cellist, she seamlessly incorporates this expertise into her music, often accompanying herself with acoustic or electric guitar, her own and pedal generated vocal harmonies, and her cello. In January 2023, Sarah made a bold transition from a three-year Astrophysics degree to wholeheartedly pursue her passion for music. She studied Popular Music Practice at BIMM Bristol 2023-2024, where she achieved the ambitious goal of writing her debut four-track EP,'Life in Pink'. Released on May 31, 2024, 'Life in Pink' explores themes of heartbreak, grief, new connections, unresolved feelings, and the bittersweet act of reminiscing. The EP was met with enthusiasm, with tracks being played on BBC Introducing South-West and ATL, Amazing Radio (UK and US), and Belfast 247 Radio. It was also featured in blogs such as Music for Misfits and Up and Comin’NI, and its CD release sold out within two weeks. In just two years, Sarah has made a significant impact in Bristol’s music scene as well as other cities in the UK like Belfast and London. She has headlined renowned venues like The Louisiana and The Exchange with her band (+ slide guitar, double/electric bass and kit), performed at 10 Sofar Sounds shows across the UK and Paris, and earned a spot on the Dot2Dot Festival lineup in 2023. Sarah has also supported artists such as Ellie Evans at The Exchange and The Freak Show at Cloak, Bristol, organised and promoted her first solo 6 date support tour around the UK and Paris and recently sold out her first headline show at The Sunflower in Belfast, with support from local Belfast artist AOIBHE. She was also selected as one of The Duncairn’s 2025 artists, attending their Creative Collective Weekend as part of the program. Currently, Sarah is focused on writing and planning her debut album, aiming for a mid-2026 release, with singles released throughout 2025 and early 2026. The album will explore other personal and universal narratives while experimenting with new songwriting techniques and incorporating musical influences from many different genres. She was fortunate to receive a Youth Music Next Generation grant to support the initial stages of her album. She has also recently been awarded a Cathedral Quarter Arts Bursary, providing further support as she continues her journey toward her debut album.