As the second to last headline show at Electric Picnic 2024, Raye captivates with a picture of past era elegance. The London native, who scooped an impressive six Brit awards this year, serves a soulful and jazzy set that guides the crowd through a musical voyage from the 1920s to the present, all while showcasing her own work alongside hits from her various collaborations.
Her performance is enriched with the support of an extensive band and the Dublin Gospel Choir, launching her set with The Thrill Is Gone, a track from her album, My 21st Century Blues. Unapologetically authentic, Raye admits to the crowd that she’s broken a nail and forgot her “breast tape”. Her incredible ability coupled with her personability creates a triumphant mix that evening.
Her only minor error of the night is occasionally mistaking her Co Laois audience for a Dublin one. However, given she’s joined on stage by a choir from Dublin, this can easily be overlooked. Taking the stage at Electric Picnic 2024, Raye proves her immense talent and approachability are a power duo.
Discussing her recent release, “Genesis”, Raye perfectly encapsulates her signature style – merging modern day narratives with smooth doo-wops and an irrepressible rhythm. She comments on the paradox of modern living: “They say the 20s are the best years of your life / But I seem to be spending mine missing sunsets / ’cause I’m busy on my phone observing everyone else / How I compare and obsess”.
A moment of silence engulfs the audience as Raye presents her compelling account of sexual assault through her song, Ice Cream Man. As the cinema-size camera sweeps the venue, one realises the audience is completely gripped. Her emotional outpouring, embodied in the powerful phrase “Because I’m a woman, I’m an unbelievably strong brave woman”, is palpable. This resonates into an astounding cover of It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World, an arena to truly flaunt her extraordinary vocals.
Thereafter, she signals it’s time to dial up the fun factor with her tune, Bed, in collaboration with Joel Corry and David Guetta. In reality though, she’s letting those present to voice it. The lyrics seem to have found a comfortable nook in everyone’s memory. She sustains the energetic vibe with Black Mascara, part of My 21st Century Blues, and Secrets, a 2020 dance number she blended with Regard.
Following suit is the chartbuster, Prada, which could easily be the principal factor for the sizeable gathering in the core arena. Co-credited to Cassö and D-Block Europe, Raye’s infectious chorus of this track is currently creating ripples across social platforms with, “Pull up in a Bentley, I want Christian, I want Fendi, I want Prada, ah-ah, ah-ah.”
Her next move brings in the close of her show, as she enthusiastically lauds the audience, and presents Escapism as her finale. The fact that the vibrant ‘massive’ had this track as their 2022 Christmas number one, drives her to roar the lyrics out, uncaring of any subsequent digital footprint.
Raye’s stage act at Electric Picnic certainly served as an enlightening journey through her non-dance tunes for many. Unquestionably, her dazzling recital brought her an influx of passionate Irish fans.