Ravyn Lenae brought her signature blend of whimsy and emotional depth to Manchester, captivating her devoted fanbase with a mesmerizing performance that showcased the artist's growth and vulnerability. The Chicago-born singer-songwriter has been a cult favorite in the alt-R&B scene since the mid-2010s, and it's easy to see why - her music is a perfect blend of catchy hooks and introspective lyrics.
Last night's show was a masterclass in how to connect with an audience, as Lenae effortlessly wove through her setlist, switching between upbeat tracks like "Candy" and more melancholic ballads like "Love Is Blind". The new material from her 2024 album Bird's Eye showed a sweet and sharp turn for the singer, with songs that aired her ruptured romantic frustrations in plaintive pleas. From the fun, rocksteady vibes of "Candy" to the tender heart-on-chest moments on tracks like "Pilot", Lenae's recent melancholy is evident throughout - but she punctuates the set with warm reflections on growth and guidance.
The crowd was clearly entranced by Lenae's art-school persona, and her band provided a perfect backing track for her energetic performance. The singer herself seemed completely at ease, twirling across the stage with her signature style and commanding the attention of even the most skeptical fans. Highlights from the set included the infectious "Free Room", the glitchy drum machines of "4 Leaf Clover", and the country-infused charm of "Love Me Not" - a delectable earworm hook that left the audience singing long after the show was over.
But despite her undeniable talent and charisma, Lenae still feels like an artist with untapped potential. Her reliance on pre-recordings can sometimes feel overwhelming, and she may benefit from exploring heavier sounds or more live instrumentation to bring out her full range. Nevertheless, last night's performance proved that Ravyn Lenae is a singer-songwriter who is truly at ease in her own melancholy - and one who will undoubtedly continue to captivate audiences with her unique brand of alt-R&B magic.
Last night's show was a masterclass in how to connect with an audience, as Lenae effortlessly wove through her setlist, switching between upbeat tracks like "Candy" and more melancholic ballads like "Love Is Blind". The new material from her 2024 album Bird's Eye showed a sweet and sharp turn for the singer, with songs that aired her ruptured romantic frustrations in plaintive pleas. From the fun, rocksteady vibes of "Candy" to the tender heart-on-chest moments on tracks like "Pilot", Lenae's recent melancholy is evident throughout - but she punctuates the set with warm reflections on growth and guidance.
The crowd was clearly entranced by Lenae's art-school persona, and her band provided a perfect backing track for her energetic performance. The singer herself seemed completely at ease, twirling across the stage with her signature style and commanding the attention of even the most skeptical fans. Highlights from the set included the infectious "Free Room", the glitchy drum machines of "4 Leaf Clover", and the country-infused charm of "Love Me Not" - a delectable earworm hook that left the audience singing long after the show was over.
But despite her undeniable talent and charisma, Lenae still feels like an artist with untapped potential. Her reliance on pre-recordings can sometimes feel overwhelming, and she may benefit from exploring heavier sounds or more live instrumentation to bring out her full range. Nevertheless, last night's performance proved that Ravyn Lenae is a singer-songwriter who is truly at ease in her own melancholy - and one who will undoubtedly continue to captivate audiences with her unique brand of alt-R&B magic.
ravyn lenae's live show was everything i've been waiting for... she brought so much energy & emotion to the stage 
it's clear she's grown as an artist, but like you said, she still has untapped potential 
maybe exploring more heavy sounds or live instrumentation could take her music to the next level 
what i love about ravyn lenae is that she doesn't apologize for being vulnerable on stage 
it's so refreshing to see someone be true to themselves and connect with their audience on that level 
she has such a vibe about her on stage it's like she's performing just for you, and that new music is EVERYTHING 
"candy" got me dancing like no one was watching, but then she'd switch to something like "love is blind" and i'd be sitting there with tears in my eyes 
. anyway, i think lenae is def on the cusp of breaking through to a whole new level - her live energy is infectious and it's clear she's still figuring out who she is as an artist... but honestly can we just talk about that "4 leaf clover" riff 
?!?!
her music is literally the soundtrack to my own life right now. and i love how she's still experimenting with new sounds and styles - it shows she's always pushing herself to grow as an artist 
the only thing that would've made last night's show even better was if she did a few more acoustic sets... just saying 
- it's clear she's been through some stuff and is pouring her heart out in every song. I love how she can seamlessly go from fun to melancholic in a heartbeat 
. And that crowd? Swoon 
! The energy was electric, and Lenae totally owned the stage 
. Can't wait to see what's next for this talented artist 
! #RavynLenaeForever #AltRnB #SingerSongwriter