Grammy award–winning powerhouse RAYE was met with a rapturous welcome from a sold-out crowd of 17,000 in Dublin on Friday night. She took to the stage in a dazzling black jeweled dress and flanked by her backing vocalists and full band, and stepped on stage with the confidence of an artist at the very top of her game.
She opened with “Oscar Winning Tears,” immediately unleashing the full force of her remarkable vocal range. We heard her ask the crowd whether her surname, “Keane” might be Irish – to which she was met, of course, with a massive cheer. She also gave a shoutout to legendary producer, Mark Ronson, who was in attendance on the night.
What makes RAYE’s live show so striking is the sheer breadth of her catalogue. Few artists can glide so seamlessly from soulful balladry to club ready floor-fillers, to chart-topping pop anthems. From “Ice Cream Man” to “Prada”, the crowd were hooked.
Closing with her global smash hit “Escapism.”, RAYE leaned into the kind of “dramatic ending” she so loves. As the dark of night rolled in on the pitch, the stage lights popped even more and the atmosphere only built on itself.
RAYE was joined by openers AMMA and ABsolutely – both her sisters, and already forging successful careers of their own. The talent on show was breathtaking from start to finish.
AMMA photos:
ABsolutely photos:
RAYE photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Oscar Winning Tears
The Thrill Is Gone
Where The Hell Is My Husband?
Mary Jane
Flip a Switch / Decline
It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World (James Brown Cover)
Genesis Pt.ii
Ice Cream Man
I Know You’re Hurting
Suzanne
Worth It
BED / You Don’t Know Me
By Your Side (Jonas Blue Cover)
Secrets
Black Mascara
Prada
Escapism
Photos & Words by Myles Dunne – @MylesDunnePhoto