RAYE headlined Reading Festival for the first time in her career on Saturday night, delivering a main-stage performance that blended pop, soul, jazz and dance before a crowd of thousands. The South London singer took to The Grid stage at Little John's Farm following Dave's co-headline set, opening with her breakout 2022 single «Escapism» to massive singalongs.
Backed by her familiar horn and string sections plus a full band, RAYE worked through a setlist drawn from her albums «My 21st Century Blues» and «This Music May Contain Hope.» An emotional performance of «I Know You're Hurting» saw her lead the crowd in a chant of «It's gonna be alright,» before she tapped into the house energy of her early career with «Secrets» and «You Don't Know Me.»
She brought out her sisters Amma and Absolutely for a rousing version of «Joy» before closing with a huge rendition of «Where Is My Husband?» The full setlist ran: «Escapism,» «Beware…The South London Lover Boy,» «Skin & Bones,» «Worth It,» «The WhatsApp Shakespeare,» «Oscar Winning Tears,» «Winter Woman,» «I Know You're Hurting,» «Click Clack Symphony,» «Secrets / You Don't Know Me,» «Life Boat / Prada,» «Joy» and «Where Is My Husband?»
Tonight's headline performance came two years after RAYE made her Reading debut with a main-stage set that earned a five-star review from NME. That appearance followed her record-breaking success at the 2024 BRIT Awards, where she became the first artist to win six prizes in a single year.
RAYE released her second album, the Mercury-nominated «This Music May Contain Hope,» in March. The record includes contributions from Hans Zimmer, Al Green and her sisters Amma and Absolutely. In a five-star review, NME called it «showstopping musical maximalism at its grandest, while still being grounded in relatable experiences and unbridled emotions.»
Earlier this summer, she brought out Alicia Keys and Mark Ronson during a special performance marking the 60th anniversary of Montreux Jazz Festival. Ronson joined her for «Uptown Funk» and their collaboration «Suzanne,» while Keys performed «If I Ain't Got You» and «Oscar Winning Tears» with her.
Outside music, RAYE is set to make her acting debut in Yann Demange's forthcoming crime thriller «Lineage,» which also stars Jason Bateman and Jude Law.