Renee Rapp Performs at The Anthem
By Alex Marek
December 7, 2023
All photos in story by Alex Marek live from Renee Rapp's concert
Renee Rapp played a sold-out show at The Anthem on Oct. 27. Fans crowded the stage to watch the Broadway singer-turned-pop star perform songs from her debut album “Snow Angel”.
Rapp may be just coming into the public eye, but she is no stranger to the spotlight. Rapp starred in the Broadway production of “Mean Girls” as the lead antagonist, Regina George. Shortly after her Broadway career, Rapp starred as a main character on the HBO Max sitcom, “Sex Lives of College Girls”. After her successful career on the Broadway stage and the screen, Rapp decided to test her luck as a pop star.
Rapp released her debut album “Snow Angel” on August 18, 2023. The album highlights her powerful voice while exploring themes of anxiety, love, heartbreak, and growing pains.
Rapp appeared on stage wearing black cargo pants and an oversized Beach Boys t-shirt. She opened her show with the upbeat songs, “Talk Too Much” and “Poison Poison”. The crowd screamed as the lights dimmed and sang all the lyrics along with Rapp. Many fans dressed in Rapp’s merch or embraced the Halloween spirit and dressed as “snow angels”.
She then slowed down the energy and sang “I Wish” and “Bruises”. The songs beautifully showed off Rapp’s vocal range. The audience was captured by her talent.
Throughout the show, Rapp shared insights into her song’s meanings and the writing process. She also took some time to read fan signs and play matchmaker with some fans in the crowd.
“I love Renee because she is so true to herself. She shares her stories, insecurities, and feelings with her fans and makes everyone feel validated,” said government and politics major, Jayne Samborn.
Later on in the night, Rapp performed “Tummy Hurts” from her debut album. She brought out her opening artist, Towa Bird, to play guitar while she sang the anthem about resenting an ex-lover. Towa Bird gave the song a new rock feel that differed from the recorded version.
Rapp also performed the ballad “I Wish” with her second opener, Alexander 23. The song tackles themes of coming to terms with mortality and grieving loved ones. Before the song, a fan gave Rapp a pair of bright pink heart sunglasses. She joked that the song was too sad to sing in the eccentric glasses before putting them on Alexander 23, who wore them for the remainder of the performance.
After the emotional performance, Rapp exited the stage. Fans were not ready for the night to be over. After two minutes of anticipation-filled chants and begging from fans for one more song, Rapp reappeared wearing an all-white ensemble. Angel wings were projected on the wall behind her. She sang the haunting ballad “Snow Angel”. Fans lit up the venue with their flashlights.
“It was a really beautiful thing to experience. Renee’s vocals paired with the stage visuals and the lit-up room was a memorable way to end the night,” said sophomore international business major, Tammy Keselman.
Renee Rapp recently released the deluxe edition of “Snow Angel” on Nov. 17. Rapp concludes her “Snow Hard Feelings Tour” in Dublin on March 4, 2024. Fans who could not catch her on stage can see her on the big screen. Rapp will be reprising her role of Regina George in the musical movie “Mean Girls” coming out this January.
Rapp may be just coming into the public eye, but she is no stranger to the spotlight. Rapp starred in the Broadway production of “Mean Girls” as the lead antagonist, Regina George. Shortly after her Broadway career, Rapp starred as a main character on the HBO Max sitcom, “Sex Lives of College Girls”. After her successful career on the Broadway stage and the screen, Rapp decided to test her luck as a pop star.
Rapp released her debut album “Snow Angel” on August 18, 2023. The album highlights her powerful voice while exploring themes of anxiety, love, heartbreak, and growing pains.
Rapp appeared on stage wearing black cargo pants and an oversized Beach Boys t-shirt. She opened her show with the upbeat songs, “Talk Too Much” and “Poison Poison”. The crowd screamed as the lights dimmed and sang all the lyrics along with Rapp. Many fans dressed in Rapp’s merch or embraced the Halloween spirit and dressed as “snow angels”.
She then slowed down the energy and sang “I Wish” and “Bruises”. The songs beautifully showed off Rapp’s vocal range. The audience was captured by her talent.
Throughout the show, Rapp shared insights into her song’s meanings and the writing process. She also took some time to read fan signs and play matchmaker with some fans in the crowd.
“I love Renee because she is so true to herself. She shares her stories, insecurities, and feelings with her fans and makes everyone feel validated,” said government and politics major, Jayne Samborn.
Later on in the night, Rapp performed “Tummy Hurts” from her debut album. She brought out her opening artist, Towa Bird, to play guitar while she sang the anthem about resenting an ex-lover. Towa Bird gave the song a new rock feel that differed from the recorded version.
Rapp also performed the ballad “I Wish” with her second opener, Alexander 23. The song tackles themes of coming to terms with mortality and grieving loved ones. Before the song, a fan gave Rapp a pair of bright pink heart sunglasses. She joked that the song was too sad to sing in the eccentric glasses before putting them on Alexander 23, who wore them for the remainder of the performance.
After the emotional performance, Rapp exited the stage. Fans were not ready for the night to be over. After two minutes of anticipation-filled chants and begging from fans for one more song, Rapp reappeared wearing an all-white ensemble. Angel wings were projected on the wall behind her. She sang the haunting ballad “Snow Angel”. Fans lit up the venue with their flashlights.
“It was a really beautiful thing to experience. Renee’s vocals paired with the stage visuals and the lit-up room was a memorable way to end the night,” said sophomore international business major, Tammy Keselman.
Renee Rapp recently released the deluxe edition of “Snow Angel” on Nov. 17. Rapp concludes her “Snow Hard Feelings Tour” in Dublin on March 4, 2024. Fans who could not catch her on stage can see her on the big screen. Rapp will be reprising her role of Regina George in the musical movie “Mean Girls” coming out this January.