I grab my friend’s hand as we walk through the entrance of the Moody Amphitheater, met with Ravyn Lenae’s vocals echoing throughout the open space. Her voice is nothing short of angelic as it soars over the crowds; people sway to the soothing music. She exhibits a sound similar to yet so unique from Renee Rapp’s, gently prepping the crowd for Rapp’s radical outbreak. Lenae’s red hair blows in the slight breeze as she prances around the stage in a blazer-style top paired with a matching striped pattern skirt. Her bright green makeup completes the look, causing everyone to be envious of her knack for being stunning in every color and shade. Somehow, Lenae does something few can master: combining several different elements, in this case, business attire with the eyeshadow of a chameleon, to create an impressive outfit that only further complements her musicality. Lenae finishes her performance with a rendition of her most popular tune, “Love Me Not,” her voice seemingly unreal against the waves of applause.
As Lenae thanks the audience, my friend and I join the winding but moving line for merchandise, hoping to purchase an item before Rapp’s appearance. Her t-shirts are as booming as her personality, swathed in vivid shades of yellow, pink and blue. Her blunt lyrics are pasted across the chest, declaring things such as, “At Least I’m Hot” and “Bite Me,” a nod to her album and tour’s signature title. By this start, it’s already telling that Rapp knows how to attract attention and keep it, which only enhances her status as a musical artist.
The venue itself is ideal for a groundbreaking voice like Rapp’s, as the acoustics will reverberate throughout the space. In our seated spots (I’m still beyond thankful that we didn’t purchase tickets on the lawn that have fans spilling over the edges), we have a center view of the stage as Rapp’s crew presets the instruments. Since the curtain is closed, it’s up to one’s imagination how her set will appear. Will the floor be covered in snow, like in the “Snow Angel” music video? Or will it resemble her newest artwork, the reason why we’re all here, and take place in a hotel room or a giant feather bed? When it comes to Rapp, the sky isn’t even the limit.
Across the curtains, the words “Bite Me” flash in white letters, their appearance causing the air to freeze as everyone anticipates Rapp’s arrival. Shouts rise from the awaiting mob, people shouting obscenities and proclamations of love for the singer. As time slows and everyone lurches forward in their seats, we are a united whole, becoming one body and mass all here to witness Rapp’s rollercoaster of desire, longing and queer joy.
The minutes tick by like hours as we all anxiously chatter amongst ourselves, wasting time in order to distract ourselves from the excitement nearly bubbling over the surface. We giggle a bit too much and wring our hands as we fidget in place. Finally, after gravitating between a period of near suspension and almost exhaustion after a long day of school, Rapp emerges from her chrysalis - literally. After Rapp advocates for starving children through her charity endorsement, a video titled “The Meeting” plays over the large screens. Once the segment is completed, “Everything to Everyone,” the intro version and a song from her first album, breaks the static silence with Rapp floating down from the ceiling in a cocoon-adjacent form. The sheer sheets underneath the beaming spotlight make her appear untouchable, an entity beyond the reach of any average individual. If I didn’t believe in angels, I sure do now.
However, despite the somber tone of her beginning choice, in a very Rapp fashion, she quickly steers the concert in the opposite direction, performing the first single off her most recent album “Leave Me Alone,” one of my favorites from the setlist. She dominates the stage in a white ringmaster jacket and fringed, shimmering black booty shorts, completing the full effect with sheer tights and black knee-high boots. The energy from the fans only amplifies her moxie as she cascades down an amalgamation of songs from both Bite Me and Snow Angel, her previous masterpiece, before another film, this time with the name “Interlude,” is displayed, giving the frivolous pop star a breather after what I can only categorize as the performance of a lifetime. It is evident to anyone observing that Rapp has a background in musical theater and acting; her expressions and reactions are way beyond those of a typical celebrity.
Rapp’s return is just as powerful as the first; her dancing and poses are as spot-on as her vocals and immaculate accompanying band. The chemistry she possesses with her bandmates is the most palpable I have ever felt. She and her guitarist join together in a rhythm, eventually ending up twerking on one another, a sight not unnoticed by the fans as hoots and hollers erupt. Taking it down a notch, Rapp belts heartfelt songs as she lounges on the back of a piano, causing wet eyes and runny noses to dissipate throughout the crowd. Before too long, Rapp ventures into the crowd, letting fans sing into the microphone and taking selfies with them as she sings “Swim,” another recent personal favorite of mine.
The remainder of the concert flows between emotional and hype-infused moments. Rapp’s versatility and control of the crowd is portrayed throughout the sudden switches in tones. Toward the conclusion of the performance, Rapp breaks everyone’s hearts as she sings “In the Kitchen” and “Snow Angel” back to back, the tiled floor of the stage a callback to the prior song’s music video, a detail I perceived earlier in the show. My hands shake as I hold up my phone to record, my lips mimicking hers as I recite every lyric of the songs, their relatability consistently resonating with me. Instead of ending on a depressing note, Rapp concludes with a true testament to her personality and the anthem of many, “At Least I’m Hot.” Despite the beckoning and pleading for an encore, Rapp does not oblige, leaving fans starstruck and, as always, craving more.