ALL POINTS EAST 2025 - RAYE
Anthemic, authentic, euphoric
★★★★★ (5/5)
RAYE HEADLINING ALL POINTS EAST FESTIVAL - 23 AUGUST 2025
PHOTOCREDIT: Bethan Miller-Carey (@bethanmillerco)
Global superstar Raye headlined a sold-out show on a dusty Saturday in London’s Victoria Park for All Points East 2025. Her transcendent performance capped off a day of impeccably curated music which brought together artists from a multitude of genres.
From the start, the acts brought a buffet of styles which kept the assembled crowds dancing. Alt-pop acts like Chloe Qisha brought captivating showmanship and anthemic choruses which represented the more electronic-rock side of the lineup. While R&B-infused acts like Cat Burns covered a more soulful collection of performers. Burns played to a mammoth crowd on the East stage, delighting those who showed up earlier in the day and no doubt making a score of new fans. From the calibre of her set, it would be no surprise to see her headline in future years.
Little Mix alumni JADE played the East Stage to a large crowd of devoted followers. Her solo material such as “Midnight Cowboy” and “FUFN” demonstrated her alt-pop stylings and got the audience dancing. While a medley of Little Mix hits received an unhinged level of excitement, leaving not a single attendee standing still.
Tyla, the South African amapiano-pop sensation, stepped into the spotlight with a London-exclusive performance. Her songs have already racked up billions of streams online, and this could be heard in the audience's ability to sing every word to a visibly moved Tyla. Her set was a demonstration in genre fusion, with tracks like “Water” and “Truth or Dare” taking the audience through a gamut of emotions from tears to dance-filled revelry.
The last-minute addition of avant-pop icon FKA Twigs (filling in for Doechii) was exceptional. Bringing a stylish blend of electronic, pop and techno which delighted the massive crowd which turned out to support the festival's saviour. The two acts brought complementary but distinct themes. Act one explored more vulnerable energies, while act two encapsulated rave-like explorations of physicality and desire
As the last notes of the support acts faded into the darkening sky, the forty thousand-strong band of fans made their way to the East stage to see a headliner a decade in the making.
Taking centre stage Raye looked every bit the modern icon she has presented in her discography. Never capitulating to demands, instead cutting her own path and bringing authenticity which is ravenously consumed by her fans.
It was just two years ago that Raye played All Points East supporting Jungle. At that time it was already clear she would be a future headliner, and now it was truly her turn to shine. With a setlist drawn from her critically acclaimed debut album My 21st Century Blues as well as recent singles like “Genesis” and “Suzanne”, Raye performed each song with the gusto of an encore. Each song served as a new opportunity for her to exhibit the flawless vocals for which she is known. Going from a raspy jazz tone to airy highs and powerful belts showed just how well-rounded her vocal capabilities are.
Supporting the stellar vocals, Raye’s backing band brought a rich sound with an orchestra of jazz horns, guitars and pounding percussion.
Further elevating the performance was the staging which loomed over Raye and her band. The tasteful visuals consisted simply of a lightbulb-studded sign of Raye’s name and a deep red backdrop. This matched the tone of the show perfectly, suiting both the laid-back soulful numbers and the rousing club renditions. As the show reached its crescendo, pyrotechnics underlined the euphoric nature of the set.
Highlights were constant, with each song in the set having memorable moments. Smash hit “Prada” integrated the analogue sounds of the backing band to briefly turn the leafy expanse of Victoria Park into a neon-lit nightclub. The middle chapter of the seven-minute epic “Genesis ii” remains one of Raye’s most stunning compositions. She showed her ability to meld lounge singer vocals with modern production and dark lyrical content.
Between songs, Raye spoke candidly from the stage about her journey from behind-the-scenes songwriter to solo powerhouse, sharing stories of resilience and artistic rebirth that resonated with thousands in the crowd. This demonstrated the vulnerability which serves as a great strength for Raye as a star. She brings genuine relatability in an industry where stars can feel increasingly removed from those in the audience.
In just two years, Raye had moved from support to headliner. From the faces on the fans, her next steps will be even bigger and bolder but just as well received. Despite the last-minute shake-up caused by Doechii’s withdrawal, the day remained a triumph. Wall-to-wall talent throughout meant that there were constantly new memories to be made, longstanding and new favourite acts waiting to be seen. It could be seen on the faces of the crowd and felt in the atmosphere as the thousands in attendance were able to shed the worries of the outside world to enjoy a day of joy.
REVIEW BY: SAM MCNAUGHTON