RAYE announced the upcoming release of a new single during her triumphant, sold-out headline performance at All Points East on Saturday. The singer revealed that the new track, ‘Where The Hell Is My Husband?’, is set to be released on September 19th, capping off an emotional set in front of a 50,000-strong crowd in Victoria Park.
The performance was the finale of a day celebrating a powerful female-led lineup. Highlights included a stunning set from West Stage headliner FKA twigs and the UK festival debut of South African superstar Tyla, who brought out acclaimed surprise guests Wizkid and Darkoo during her performance.
The significance of the moment was not lost on RAYE, who was watched from the side of the stage by her sisters and fellow performers, Absolutely and Amma. “This is not one of the sh*t gigs,” she told the audience. “This is the kind of moment a little girl dreams of. Thank you, London, for making a little girl’s dreams come true.”
Read the official press release in full below:
A showstopping, sold out performance by RAYE brought to a close an epic day of female superstars, All Points East including FKA twigs, special guest Tyla and JADE.
A 50,000-strong crowd enjoyed an unrivalled lineup in Victoria Park, east London, with the likes of Jyoty, NAO, Montell Fish, Nia Smith, Sienna Spiro, Chloe Qisha, Cat Burns, Bimini and Eliza Rose also on the bill.
It was a true family affair, with RAYE watching sisters Absolutely and Amma perform their own sets from the side of the Cupra North Stage.
RAYE brought a big band performance with horn section, Flames Collective choir and her carefully chosen cover of ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World’ (“But it wouldn’t be nothing nothing without a woman or a girl”).
At times she was almost overwhelmed by the level of support from the audience.
“I’ve played a lot of sh*t gigs,” she said. “I’m talking about a huge tent with four people in it – more people on stage than in the audience…Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen: This is not one of the Sh*t gigs. This is the kind of moment a little girl dreams of. Thank you, London, for making a little girl’s dreams come true. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves.”
Among a set full of hits, was new song ‘Where The Hell Is My Husband?’, which had its own special choreography and is to be released on September 19th, according to the merch that was flying off the shelves.
‘Worth It’ demanded a call and response from the audience, while she told the crowd they could do better for ‘Prada’ as flames burst from the stage to raise the temperature.
She closed a glorious set with, of course, signature tune ‘Escapism’.
West Stage headliner FKA twigs drew a deafening response from the audience reaction before a stunning, near a capella rendition of ‘cellophane’ was greeted by a reverent silence. “You’re all so beautiful and wonderful. I love everyone on this stage tonight and everyone out here,” she said.
GRAMMY-winning South African global superstar Tyla made a splash with her UK festival debut. Led by a troupe of dancers through a high-energy set, the 23-year old hitmaker brought the infectious vibes of Jo’burg summer parties to London with a blend of her Amapiano and pop tunes. Hits including ‘Water’ and ‘Push 2 Start’ had the whole crowd moving. However, it was the flex of bringing out acclaimed Afrobeats superstar Wizkid for a surprise performance of their track ‘Dynamite’ and British sensation Darkoo for ‘Favourite Girl’ that really solidified Tyla’s position as an expert curator of the ultimate summer party set.
“All Points East, how we feeling?” asked pop sensation JADE. “I said how are we feeling? All Points East, let me hear you scream!”
The ‘IT Girl’ performed ‘Angel of My Dreams’ to close a set that also took in recent single ‘Plastic Box’ and Little Mix songs ‘Wasabi’ and ‘Touch’.
“I came to All Points East last year and I was absolutely gagging for it – I loved every minute of it! I remember watching Victoria Monét on stage and thinking ‘I know why she’s fun’ – and thinking let me get up there, I want to have a go.”
The West Stage featured a barnstorming set from Montell Fish (“We got any freaky fans in the crowd today?”), as well as NAO, who was feeling the love: “This next tune, I’d like to dedicate this song to my two children. I wrote this song in lockdown with an artist called Adekunle Gold; we both had our daughters at the same time and we thought what better to write a song for them called ‘Antidote’.”
It wasn’t just RAYE and NAO who were celebrating family. Cat Burns told the East Stage crowd: “Thank you guys so much. I thought there’d be, like, seven people here, two of them being my mum and my sister – who I think I can see over there! Oh, and my friends. Oh my God – we’re having so much fun.”
Both Amma and Absolutely went down a storm, with the latter telling the audience: “This is my first festival so this is a really monumental moment for me. Thank you guys for being a part of it!”
The East Stage opened with the jazz stylings of Joni Rhodes and Friends, the flautist and composer joined by two vocalists, a horn section and bass, drums and keyboards.
“I just want to say thank you to ELAM, thank you so All Points East, thank you to my band. This is just absolutely insane,” said Joni.
This year’s All Points East features headliners Cleo Sol (Friday 15 August), Chase and Status (Saturday 16 August), Pete Tong (Sunday 17 August, free show), Barry Can’t Swim (Friday 22 August), RAYE (Saturday 23 August), and The Maccabees (Sunday 24 August).