If playing at London’s Wembley stadium in the morning and then having to fly over to Manchester to start your biggest UK tour in the same day isn’t all the evidence you need to clarify that Tate McRae is on her way to super stardom then we’re not quite sure what else you need! The Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer is fresh off of the release of her debut studio album “I used to think I could fly”, which was released on the 27th May 2022. The 18-year-old’s album has already reached top 10 in several countries around the world and has been met with great reviews from critics and her ever-growing fanbase. The youngster shot to success after her song, ‘You broke me first’ went viral and after some very successful singles on top of this she has clearly proven she is destined for greatness. We were lucky enough to catch Tate McRae as she headlined a much anticipated sold-out show at Manchester’s O2 Ritz. Support for the night came from the great Alexander 23.
As a long time fan of Alexander 23, this photographer/reviewer was already expecting a great show, seeing two rising artists in one night. Alexander and Tate have been close friends for sometime now, with Alexander co-writing and producing the track ‘boy x’ from Tate’s debut album so to see them both touring together was a very nice touch! Alexander 23 earned a great reaction from the crowd as he serenaded them during his set, he started the night out with the emotional track ‘Cry over boys’ before launching into his most recently released single ‘Crash’. Alexander 23 has also been teasing the release of his own debut album which is yet to be announced but the artist himself has confirmed it’s on the way and even performed an unreleased song called ‘Somebody’s nobody’ to the Manchester crowd. He ended his set with his own viral tune, ‘IDK you yet’ and I seriously can’t wait to see him headlining venues like this on his own in the future.
One thing that has to be said about a Tate McRae concert is that she puts her absolute all into her shows, from incredible productions and flawless choreography the entire team behind these shows deserve the utmost credit. Tate took to the stage with her team of backup dancers and completely blew the roof off the place, she started the night with ‘Stupid’ and it was a party from the very start until the end. The young superstar had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand all night long and from the smile on her face you could see the appreciation she has for all of the people following her rising career. She made every song a special performance inside the intimate venue and it was clear everyone was witnessing a show that they wouldn’t be forgetting for a long time. Tate McRae ended the night in spectacular fashion with ‘She’s all I wanna be’ and the previously mentioned track, ‘You broke me first’.
TATE MCRAE
ALEXANDER 23
PHOTOS + REVIEW BY LEWIS ROBERTS | EXCLUSIVELY FOR MUSIC, WHY NOT