THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN RAYE: NEW MUSIC, SIBLING JOY AND A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE
LIVE REVIEW | RAYE w/ Absolutely | OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW | 20th February 2025 by Anne Kelly
On Friday night, South London superstar Raye brought her ‘This May Contain New Music’ tour to Glasgow for the first of two sold-out nights at the city’s OVO Hydro. At just 28, the genre blending neo-soul powerhouse has already cemented her status as one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of her generation – a sentiment the 14,000-strong crowd championed wholeheartedly by the final curtain. But first, the stage belonged to Absolutely, who ensured the energy in the Hydro was ready for Raye’s arrival.
Absolutely
Keeping it in the family, Absolutely is Raye’s younger sister; but with two critically acclaimed albums under her belt and impressive songwriting credits with the likes of Teddy Swims, she is absolutely not riding on her sister’s coattails. Releasing her sophomore album Paracosm that same day, Absolutely is in elevated spirits and excited to share this celebration with Glasgow.
A cover of Abba‘s ‘I Have A Dream’ sparked a twinkly, wholesome arena sing-along. Simple projections against a plain white backdrop added a layer of storytelling that made connecting with a solo artist in a room of 14,000 people feel effortless. A world class act in her own right and dare I say it – with an even bigger voice than Raye’s – Absolutely sent genuine shivers throughout the arena, setting the tone for her big sister’s big entrance.
Raye
From the moment that the floor lights dipped and the spotlight took over, ‘This Tour May Contain New Music’ isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a promise. Stepping out of the wings with effortless charisma, Raye appeared every bit a cinematic icon. A moment that felt more like a classic film premiere than a standard arena show, she commanded the stage with a blend of old-school glamour and modern star power. Shadowed by a giant thunder cloud, she teased, “I’m in my dramatic era. So expect lots of dramatic endings”, before a full orchestral band signalled the drop into the diva-fuelled ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’.
The deep crimson backdrop against Raye’s shimmering red dress screamed classic Hollywood, pulling the audience into a night of pure escapism. Between the high octane of ‘The Thrill Is Gone‘ and ‘Suzanne’, to the cheeky humour of new track ‘Beware of the South London Boy’, Raye’s personality bled through at every turn.
Between songs, Raye kept the momentum high with sassy introductions to her music, her band, and – for the benefit of all the ‘plus 1s’ in the room – herself. The set list was well balanced with the singer’s bigger hits and the heavily hinted new music with‘The Winter Woman’ appearing as another standout among the newcomers. Lending the spotlight to violinist Kirsty, the moment proved every member of this production is a star in their own right.
While the stage was transformed into an intimate jazz bar, Raye held court from a spotlight at the side of the stage, connecting with the crowd through hand-held placards to prompt cheers. In a reminder that she is an independent artist, she even managed to sneak in a QR code for album pre-orders.
The storytelling remained front and centre as we transitioned into the jazz bar scene – a space where Raye exists somewhere between character-driven drama and raw, personal heartbreak. Stirring renditions of ‘Hard Out Here’ and ‘Genesis, pt. ii’ sat alongside an enchanting cover of ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, followed by the massive favourite ‘Worth It’. However, it was another brand-new track, ‘Nightingale Lane’, that stole the moment; an early standout from the new record, it felt instantly timeless in that smoky, club atmosphere.
The emotional peak, however, came when the curtains drew shut, leaving Raye alone at a grand piano for rawest of her tracks, ‘Ice Cream Man’. Acknowledging that 1 in 4 people experience sexual assault – a staggering quarter of this 14,000 strong crowd – she reaffirmed that despite the heavy nature of the song, the purpose of playing this song remains: ensuring no one feels alone. This heavy, raw vulnerability flowed into another new track, ‘I Know You’re Hurting’. Speaking directly to her fans with a humble, grounded warmth, she offered a simple but vital reminder: “It’s all gonna be alright.” As 14,000 voices began to sing that mantra back to her in unison, the atmosphere shifted from heavy sorrow to a shared, defiant hope.
With the heaviest part of the night behind us, it was time for 21st Century Symphony. Here, Raye took a moment to honour the man behind the symphonic reinvention of her debut album, composer Tom Richards, who is joining the tour on conducting duties. Blending the cinematic grandeur of ‘Oscar Winning Tears’ with the sharp, rhythmic energy of new track ‘Click Clack Sympathy’, this section was a masterclass in versatility. It served as a definitive reminder that Raye is an artist who can, quite literally, do it all – transitioning from raw, solo vulnerability to leading a full-scale orchestral explosion without missing a single beat.
If you thought that everything had already been done tonight, Raye has more. Switching from ‘Raye’ to ‘Rave’, Glasgow’s OVO Hyrdo the euphoria was infectious; the transition from orchestral grandeur to immersive house music was seamless. Supported by mesmerising light projections, the arena was swept into a pure, rhythmic trance for the duration of hits like ‘Secrets’, ‘You Don’t Know Me’, ‘Black Mascara’ and ‘Prada’.
As the party neared its end, Raye invited all 14,000 people to join her in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Annie. Pressed against the barrier, Annie is one of Raye’s most enduring supporters. “She’s been coming to my shows for eight or nine years,” Raye told the room, her voice full of genuine gratitude. “Buying tickets and showing up to empty rooms long before anyone knew me as I am today.” Not only a kind sentiment, but a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting grassroots artists. Annie’s presence served as a testament to the fact that everyone starts somewhere; with enough patience and perseverance, we could all be an Annie in a crowd of thousands – or, indeed, a Raye.
“This is my last song”, Raye winked, before whispering a cheeky “It isn’t”, to a collective wave of laughter. She then launched into the penultimate track, ‘Joy’, but she didn’t do it alone. Inviting her sisters – Amma and Absolutely – to the stage, the three of them together felt like witnessing a modern-day Sister Sledge;their chemistry was undeniable and their vocals were harmonious gold.
Returning for one last anthem, ‘Escapism’, Raye left the OVO Hydro with an unforgettable presence. It may not be the traditional route to tour an album before its release, but in doing so, Raye has cultivated a unique kind of hype. By offering these live teasers of This Music May Contain Hope, she provided an introduction that was entirely on her own terms. While we couldn’t sing along to every word just yet, we were given something far more valuable: a ‘first-listen’ memory shared with 14,000 others. Raye has ensured that when these studio tracks finally drop, her fans will always remember exactly where they were when they first heard them – straight from the source, under the Glasgow spotlights.
