Considering it was a Saturday, I thought why not meet up with my aunt and uncle cuz now we have a bit more time due to it being the weekend, and it was great to catch up. We went to dinner with my sister, aunt and uncle in the Italian restaurant right across the venue, the food came fast and I had a delicious pizza. They didn’t know her, but now do!

I got to the venue, met my friends and usually it’s this thing with a €4 ‘membership fee’ for a month to support the arts and culture in this venue (and also another small one in NL), we didn’t buy them because I bought them using Spotify Presale and it said including membership, I wasn’t sure, but it was all good! So that was a nice thing.

We got some beers, saw they sold the signed vinyl for €70 and they had issues with payments, so only cash or UK cards worked. That was unfortunate, but did see the t-shirts around and normal vinyl too. Hopefully they fix it soon! Glad I already ordered the signed vinyl from the UK when it mattered for the chart battle! The merch is also up on her store.

Then we got into the venue, got some drinks and waited while Debbie played. Some nice songs, but was a bit chatting with my friends. She came perfectly on time and went a little over, so we got more! Ha. Apparently I saw her on the first of March in 2020 when she opened for Mabel, but that was not too special, still fun. We were standing nicely at a bit in the back, so we could see over everyone and switched places a bit so we could hang next to a construction thing, easy.

Then Introduction. started and you know you were in for a good ride as she blew us away with everything; vocals, her beautiful outfit and stage presence! There was a full band with drums, bass, guitar, keys and 3 brass instruments. She said it was pretty expensive to take a full band with her and it was so worth it! (gaga being broke for the monster ball teas) It elevated every song and made the live arrangements so good. They all look fantastic in the white and so chic. Everything just fits together perfectly. It’s basically the full album to the stage, literally on stage and a story telling experience. Behind the band are these large vinyls of the album, haha.

RAYE at Melkweg

RAYE at Melkweg – Photo credit: Lotte Spek for NRC.

The set list follows the album a bit, with a solo piano middle section, where she played shortened versions of You Don’t Know Me, Secrets and it was up for the audience to choose: Regardless or Nathalie Don’t. The latter won by a landslide (as she said) and then was followed by BED. Nice that those songs still got some attention, as she said she hates some but also still loves some. It was great for the full picture.

She took off her blazer and was in her underwear for Body Dysmorphia. which during she said she felt safe here with her fans. She was applauded so much and she tore up a few times. She really did a lot of interaction, and also signed a few items of the front row, sang Happy Birthday for an audience member and had us vote for a song during the piano section. Furthermore, she returned in a beautiful white dress when she sang Ice Cream Man and more, that was such a good section. Black Mascara. went off so hard live, basically every song uplifted the studio version and I hope she releases the live versions someday? We can pray.

This meme made it onto the stage as she saw the poster and she showed the audience. Kiki!

Of course, the encore was Fin. and Escapism. that was a bit longer and really made everyone dance a lot. It was such a good concert, she was excellent live and it all feels so right that she can tour, independently and sell out a lot of shows already! You should go! Now you can still get tickets!

Here are some great videos from the balcony of the venue. A teaser: