DETROIT – Rising U.K. star RAYE made her splash in Detroit this week with a smashing set at the historic Majestic.
The 25-year-old singer-songwriter rocked to an enthusiastic crowd soaking in not only RAYE’s flawless vocals, but her humor and banter as well.
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From the moment she arrived on stage in a flowing red dress adorned with a red flower, RAYE captured the audience with her powerhouse vocals. Opening the show with “Oscar Winning Tears,” the second track off her debut album My 21st Century Blues, which her tour is titled after, she showcased her impressive range that would take us through the rest of the night.
With a voice reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and the candor of Adele, RAYE has the makings of a superstar. Her voice fits perfectly in a wide range of genres from jazz-tinged ballads to beat-heavy EDM tracks.
RAYE rose to prominence when her song “Escapism” with 070 Shake went viral on TikTok, which led to heavy radio play. Now an independent artist, her highly anticipated solo album My 21st Century Blues released earlier this year, debuted to critical acclaim.
Accompanied by a six-piece band that included a trumpet and saxophone, RAYE’s music filled the theater with a lush and gorgeous sound, complimenting her carefully sung melodies. Singing over 20 songs spanning her already successful career, the enthusiastic Brit bared her soul, introducing the story behind many of her hits.
RAYE’s theme for the night was honesty, which she had the audience repeat several times throughout the night, and honesty it was. From her deeply personal trauma to sharing her very real emotions of the moment, RAYE’s authenticity and vulnerability showed she had nothing to hide. She bared it all on stage, storytelling through her music and her words. It’s a refreshing stance for a pop artist where perfection is demanded on and off the stage.
“I don’t take this for granted,” she said in awe of Detroit’s reception to her. RAYE makes it clear. This is an artist who simply loves music: making music, playing music, sharing music.