Raye's Monumental yet Intimate Show at Montreux Jazz Festival

At just 26, Raye has taken the music scene by storm, scooping up six Brit Awards and winning over fans everywhere. The crowd was in awe as she appeared on the massive stage barefoot, wearing nothing but a white backless gown with fringed shoulder pads, a princess gracing us with her presence. Backed by a killer orchestra dressed to the nines in black and white tuxedos, Raye's crew included four brass musicians, a drummer, a percussionist, a pianist, a guitarist, and a bassist-keyboardist. Like her gown and performance, the setup was pure class, minimalistic yet monumental. 

The very first notes of "The Thrill Is Gone" set the tone. Blending soul, jazz, pop, R&B, and hip-hop effortlessly, Raye showed off her insane vocal range and the unique mix that defines her debut album, My 21st Century Blues, which dropped in early 2023 after years of battle for musical independence. 

What stands out about Raye’s music and performance is her ability to pour raw emotion and authenticity while keeping everyone’s mood up. Throughout the show, Raye’s generosity shone through as she took long breaks between songs to chat with the crowd, sharing her thoughts and making the massive 5,500-person venue feel surprisingly intimate.

She got personal when introducing songs like "Mary Jane" which tackles addiction. “Me and Mary Jane have such a beautiful and ugly love affair and we had to part ways” she admitted. When it came to "Ice Cream Man" Raye was especially heartfelt: “Ice Cream Man is the hardest song I’ve ever written in my life,” she confessed. “I don’t enjoy singing it but I know it’s important that I do. The subject of this song is sexual violence and rape. Those are very disgusting words to say out loud so we don’t say them. This helps me be loud about something I’ve been silenced about all my childhood”. The four-minute song stretched out into a six-minute performance which felt like a catharsis, a moment of deep connection and healing for every victim of sexual violence. The crowd kept quiet, eyes shiny from tears, holding up their breath until the very last notes. 

After an hour and a quarter of pure magic - with bubbles blown by the public sparkling around her - Raye wrapped up her set with a bang, turning the Lake Stage into an open-air dance party with electrifying versions of "Secrets" and "Black Mascara." Her performance was grandiose and stirring, a perfect mix of talent and heart, leaving an unforgettable impression on everyone at the Montreux Jazz Festival.