Tate McRae starts stop one of tour in Vancouver, BC
BY ISABELLA URBANI
Photo By: Isabella Urbani
Calgary, Alberta native Tate McRae made the first stop of her North American tour at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, BC on March 8, 2022. The “you broke me first” star was accompanied by local up-and-coming artist Madison Olds, who subbed into the opening slot at the last minute for Mimi Webb.
Olds nonchalantly entered from the side wing decked in converse and in tow with her father, the drummer. After the first few songs, Olds came around to the crowd, and was very well received. Her father also quickly became the recipient of more than a few hoots and hollers, and even an offer from a fan to be his girlfriend. The 19-year-old laughed along, playing up the crowd, and encouraged them not to inflate her father’s ego. Too late.
Photo By: Isabella Urbani
The artist’s final song, which she bashfully told the audience was about guys with “small dick energy,” had the entire audience singing along to the chorus “nice guys get fucked.”
Despite opting to stay in front of her mic stand the entire set, Olds voice carried through beautifully. Her singing was emotive, and reminiscent of that of Alessia Cara or alternative artist K-Flay. She didn't need the theatrics for her performance to leave an impression. From a makeshift pringle’s can in her father’s hand to an up close and personal performance from Olds, the two put on a heartwarmingly authentic show.
With the crowd more than warmed up, Tate McRae took to performing.The 18-year-old showed no signs of stage fright, starting out with an exuberant rendition of her hit-song “stupid.” Sporting puffy matching white outfits, McRae’s backup dancers joined her on the stage looking like fashionable snow leopards. During the night, you’d be hard-pressed to find a time when McRae wasn’t on her feet with her dancers. Even when they did disperse for solo songs, she carried the energy all by herself, her voice never faltering. And what she didn’t convey through her dancing, McRae conveyed through interactions with her fans: she collected notes and even took a fan’s camera to pose for a selfie mid-performance.
With the tight-knit venue, the show felt like a one night experience into the life of the young star. In between songs, she took the time to thank her audience and share insight into the muse of her songs, often being heartbreak and navigating undefined relationships, as in her song “that way.”
McRae demonstrated excellent voice control, belting out high notes with such a passion that it truly felt like she was reliving the story behind each of her songs right infront of her audiences' eyes. It was nearly impossible to take your eyes off of her— the show was entrancing.
The encore, however, and biggest hit of the young soloists career, “you broke me first” was the anthem of the night. Not one person from the seated top deck was left sitting for the final song of the night. McRae was hand in hand with her audience, finishing the lyrics from start to finish.
McRae will wrap up her 23 show tour on April 16 in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the meantime, the singer has already released another single entitled “chaotic” and is anticipated to release an album in the near future. At just 18-years-old, the young Canadian has amassed a ton of support, and with hit after hit landing on top charts, she might be filling out Rogers Arena when she returns to Vancouver next.
