Tate Mcrae’s ‘THINK LATER’ Tour Wows Wolverhampton
Date: 26th April 2024
Tate McRae's concert at The Halls in Wolverhampton was nothing short of extraordinary, with fans displaying extreme dedication by queuing up to 12 hours before the doors even opened. Anticipation for the Canadian superstar’s performance was palpable, with updates on the queue size flooding social media platforms like Instagram throughout the day, demonstrating the heightening excitement for the concert later on.
Approaching the venue, it was immediately evident that this was no ordinary concert; the streets directly outside were filled with the largest crowd I've ever seen for a concert anywhere in the UK. This was also my first ever experience attending a gig in the city of Wolverhampton and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, as well as a discovery of a new location to potentially watch my favourite artists perform at in the future.
Prior to Tate gracing the stage, she was supported by an American rapper and singer-songwriter called CharlieOnAFriday, who is coincidentally another musician I’ve listened to before after discovering him on social media in years prior. I first saw him support Macklemore on tour in Birmingham in 2023, and was also fortunate enough to meet him amongst the crowd as fans dispersed from that same gig. Unfortunately, during the time he supported Tate in Wolverhampton, his set was cut short due to technical difficulties but, nonetheless, it was a pleasure to see him back in the UK, just over a year since I first saw him perform live. Charlie is a brilliant artist to become a fan of and a few of his tunes I recommend listening to are “After Hours”, ‘‘Colarado Boulder”, “Party Girl” and “Sunset Avenue” however, in all honesty, his entire discography thus far is incredible.
Surrounded by a team of four phenomenal dancers, a sensational drummer and exceptional electric guitarist, the Canadian chanteuse and her captivating crew ignited the stage last night with their undeniable presence. Tate’s performance was a mesmerising display of flawless artistry, seamlessly blending the art of dance with highly-skilled choreography to complement her impeccable vocals. It was a privilege to witness her voice, as it is even more captivating in person than on record. The stage design incorporated two large boxes which afforded Tate and her dancers the space to perform higher up, notably enabling her awestruck audience to catch a clearer glimpse of her. I appreciate it when musicians think carefully about their staging as I feel it’s special for people further back in the crowd to also have an unobstructed view of the artist or band that they have travelled to see. Within a setlist of eighteen songs in total, the twenty-year-old artist switched between performing energetic up-tempo tracks and slower ballads to get the fans collectively in their feelings.
After the show concluded, enthusiasts were given the chance to purchase some cool merchandise, of which I grabbed a white football jersey, with ‘T8’ on the front, for a friend who saw her in London but didn’t manage to buy merch on the night. Even after the show itself had finished, around 50-100 fans eagerly lingered near the tour buses, around the side of the venue, hoping for a glimpse of the beloved singer after the show, which is a testament to the deep connection she shares with her audience. I waited a good 30 minutes myself for a chance encounter but, in the end, had to vacate as I needed food before travelling two hours back to where I live!
Overall, Tate McRae's concert was an unbelievable pleasure to witness which certainly left an everlasting impression on those who were blessed enough to attend. It was a night filled with unforgettable moments, showcasing the boundless potential of this rising star. I have personally been a fan of Tate’s music for a while now, as there is something so soothing about her voice, so it truly was a blessing to finally see, and hear, her live in the flesh. Some of my personal favourites from her discography include “she’s all i wanna be”, “feel like shit”, “you broke me first”, “plastic palm trees” and “rubberband”, however I could happily listen to her music on shuffle and sing along to all of her songs.
After such a remarkably impressive concert and tremendously successful tour, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this skilful songstress.
