The Glitz, Glamour,
and Heart of RAYE
Written and photographed by Ashley Wehrs, Graphics & Color Grading by Emma A. Walker
An evening of red, glitter, glamour, and drama! RAYE has become a growing sensation after years of song-writing for others and a steady championing of her independent music. RAYE’s first album My 21st Century Blues gathered notable attention, winning the 2024 British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards and earning a nomination for Best New Artist. RAYE’s second album, This Music May Contain Hope is an incredible follow up and rightful showstopper, exploring a poetic fight for optimism against a sometimes suffocating world.
The Coca-Cola Roxy venue hosted RAYE: THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC on a warm and sunshiney evening, April 28th, indicative of the persona and feeling the tour would soon provide. Upon my first step into the entry line I was graced with the cutest outfits encompassing RAYE’s iconic aesthetic of red, glitter, and glamour. We have to be on theme, of course! The giggles and glee were palpable. Entering Coca-Cola Roxy for the first time was an exciting, buzzy experience. I took an immediate t-shirt pitstop before heading into the increasingly packed floor of attendees.
RAYE is an undeniably captivating singer in her own right, but part of what makes her show so special is the connection with her sisters, collaborators, and openers… Amma and Absolutely! Amma is a soft spoken cutie pie who graced the crowd with a combination of her original songs and an attention-grabbing, nostalgic cover of “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. Absolutely followed her performance, owning the stage with her eccentric style, a mix of her own music, and a heartfelt rendition of ABBA’s “I Have A Dream”. A sad farewell to her magnetic sisters brought the audience to focus on a tightly bound red curtain, quickly pivoting to an ecstatic build of anticipation...
And then, RAYE: THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC began. The red curtains started to shift, the crowd cried out, and RAYE’s voice narrated, “Allow me to set the scene, our story begins at 8:27 pm on a rainy night in Atlanta. Cue the thunder.” Thunder strikes, a cloud lowers from the ceiling, and RAYE emerges from the curtains donning a long, black fur jacket, chunky belt, and her signature curls. Cue her opening song, “I Will Overcome.”
Showered in gold confetti, RAYE disappears behind the curtain, quick to reveal her hit single, “WHERE THE HELL IS MY HUSBAND!”. When the curtains open, RAYE’s red lip and red dress pop on stage. She’s accompanied by her charismatic band and two accompanying singers, all perfectly in sync. “Ladies and gentleman, my name is RAYE and this is the band!” she introduces.
The jazz meets blues meets pop sensation sets up her concert succinctly: new songs, old songs, throw a cover in there, a fun night club section, all sprinkled with some stories. She proceeds to sing “Skin & Bones.” and “Beware.. The South London Lover Boy.”, maintaining a high-energy opening. RAYE leans into her dramatic era, heading into a personal favorite of mine, “Winter Woman.”.
RAYE captures her audience’s attention through her strong vocals and charming personality, but her concert is particularly special in the intentional shoutouts to her hard-working musical collaborators. Everyone received their shining moment, starting with her talented violinist. The special acknowledgments were dispersed throughout the show, reminding audiences of all that goes into creating a tour.
Although the Coca-Cola Roxy was unable to accommodate RAYE’s traditional screen set, the performers went above and beyond to create an immersive experience just as special. Pivoting to printed signs, the Atlanta crowd took it’s own interpretation on cheering for “MORE!”, instead shouting… “MORE!” in adoration. “Great work,” RAYE teased.
RAYE: THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC is riddled with relatable and raw storytelling. RAYE’s transparency about her own difficult night made her message even stronger – “four words that may sound unlikely [...] four words that simply are: it’s gonna be alright.” With genuine and sincere acknowledgment of the pain the world can cause and the struggles we each battle with, RAYE was intent to shower the audience in the love everyone deserves and remind them, “when you hit rock bottom, the only way has to be up.” Which is a wonderful way to encompass the show. The audience is transported to a cinematic jazz club, followed by a colorful night club set with strobes of deep blue, purple, and magenta, roping the audience into an engaging, interactive night.
As the show comes to an end, RAYE is sure to thank the audience, “I live to perform. I’m so grateful” — which is clear in everything she does. Compassion, hope, and empathy seep through her every move and song. The concert “closes” with “Joy.”, bringing Amma and Absolutely back on stage. But RAYE can’t stop there, gracing the crowd with an encore of “Escapism.”. The night provided a true escape from the exhaustion that can cloud the world, boosting a shine of light into the darkness.