Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Getting to see ascending superstar RAYE in as up close of an environment as The Auditorium will probably never happen again, especially considering the British singer/songwriter instantaneously sold out every date of “This Tour May Contain New Music” and could’ve surely done the same in arenas individually after being tapped to support Taylor Swift and now Bruno Mars in stadiums.

In fact, the classy set was just as grand as the venue’s golden arches it sat under, which ranged from a swanky jazz club to a tiny piano bar, mini symphony and full blown rave throughout 90 unbelievable minutes, also featuring a tuxedo-clad big band of 13 stunning players and two soulful backing vocalists.

To give an idea of how well RAYE was able to master the mic while supporting her second official album as an artist, “This Music May Contain Hope,” which follows penning R&B meets pop tunes for Beyoncé, Charli XCX, Little Mix and more, the massive mainstream breakthrough, “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!,” appeared super early.

As amazing and instantly iconic as it was, the smash merely scratched the surface of what was to come as the headliner really got down to “Skin & Bones” and warned everyone to “Beware.. The South London Lover Boy.”

The “Winter Woman” kept confidently crooning and shimmying around “Hard Out Here” and “Worth It,” amongst others, prior to stripping back the showmanship during “Ice Cream Man,” a solo piano anthem about surviving sexual violence.

Themes of self-care and healing continued to permeate the mantra-like “I Know You’re Hurting” and “Life Boat,” bookended by RAYE’s empowering pep talks drawn from deeply personal and vulnerable experiences.

The empathizing entertainer took a brief break to change into a black, off-the-shoulder gown for an orchestral-inspired segment that convincingly delivered “Oscar Winning Tears” and the cinematic, string-accompanied “Click Clack Symphony,” originally recorded with film composer Hans Zimmer.

Subsequently, RAYE seamlessly transitioned towards the club for “Secrets,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Black Mascara” and “Prada,” eventually unleashing the gospel glow of “Joy” alongside sisters/immensely promising openers Absolutely and Amma, plus an encore round of “Escapism” to keep the euphoria going well past this historic engagement.

For additional information on RAYE, visit RAYEOfficial.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming shows at the Auditorium Theatre include Hatsune Miku (Apr. 12-13); Creepy Nuts (Apr. 15); “Stuff You Should Know” (Apr. 17); Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Treach of Naught By Nature and Black Sheep (Apr. 18); Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Apr. 24-26); Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman (Apr. 27); The Head And The Heart (May 7); “Chicago: The Musical” (May 5-10); “Rocky” In Concert (May 16); David Sedaris (May 17); Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (May 30); John Cusack and “Grosse Pointe Blank” (Jun. 23); “& Juliet” (Jul. 22-Aug. 2); Tori Amos (Aug. 14) and Mat Kearney (Aug. 15). For additional details, visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

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