Tate McRae returns to Boston with sultry set

“Met you at a night out in Boston/ Put your hand on my thigh in the Commons,” Tate McRae sings off her latest album’s title track, “Think Later.” The sultry song details a playfully reckless hookup in Boston on the night of her most recent tour stop in 2022. And it makes the city sound way sexier than it is, in my experience, but good for her. 

The Canadian pop singer-songwriter has racked up an impressive resume for a 21-year-old. She was a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation” in 2016, a musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” in 2023, and Artist of the Year at the 2024 Juno Awards. McRae released her debut record, “I Used to Think I Could Fly,” in 2022 and her sophomore album, “Think Later” last year. 

I attended McRae’s first night at MGM at Fenway on Friday, Aug. 9 — she’s also playing Saturday. I was greeted by mostly women — ranging from tweens to millennials — donning cropped jerseys, black lace corsets, jean skirts, and small shoulder bags. The concert was the same day as a Red Sox vs. Astros game, but it was obvious who was at Fenway for what event. 

From the initial reveal of a large cube-shaped set and flashing colorful lights, it was abundantly clear that this show was more than a concert — it was a dynamic performance. McRae strutted on stage in a pale yellow bra top and tiny shorts with a gold chain belt spelling out her name and one jeweled elbow pad. The artist grew up in a hockey-loving family and even set the music video for her Billboard 100 hit “Greedy” on a hockey rink. (Although, fans speculate that may also be a reference to her previous relationship with Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger.)

McRae draws inspiration from late ‘90s and early 2000s it-girls Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, which was evident in her marrying of dance-pop with energetic choreography. 

Six dancers joined McRae onstage as she moved from “Think Later” into “Hurt My Feelings,” rolling their hips with her as a synchronized troupe. McRae’s hairography was on point, her long brown strands lusciously flowing in the wind created by a fan located at center stage. She fluffed and flipped her soft waves to accentuate her bedroom eyes during the more sultry tracks. 

“Boston, what’s up?” she asked the crowd, who responded with screams and cheers. “You guys sold out these two nights so [expletive] fast.”

I loved watching her dance training in action — especially as she kept up with her backup dancers while still delivering powerful vocals. But I also appreciated the moments when she slowed things down. 

For “Feel Like Shit,” a song about the agony caused by an ex treating her poorly, she stood at a microphone by herself. “Last night for the very first time/ You didn’t even try to call/ Oh, I won’t lie, I thought I might die/ I couldn’t even sleep at all,” she sang. The shift from sensuality to personal reflection felt natural and welcomed. She continued on that path, moving into “Calgary.” The song ruminates on the bittersweet emotions of reconnecting with who you were in high school when you visit home years later but simultaneously feeling removed from that person. 

“Same bar, same street/ I’m 21, but I still feel like 15,” McRae sang, changing the original lyrics from 20 to reflect her current age. She sat down on the stage steps, accompanied by just a guitar. McRae really showed off her vocal range and emotional depth when she remained still, closing her eyes to focus. Away from the intense choreography and her seductive persona, the audience could peer deeper into her world and the heartbreak she has been through. These moments felt much more intimate, just listening to McRae’s stunning soprano runs and watching her soak in the music. 

In “Cut My Hair,” McRae brought sexy back with a spotlight highlighting her silhouette as she strutted to center stage. Dancers popped their butts and contorted their bodies around her. And in “Exes,” McRae showed off her flexibility, landing in a side split. 

After “Guilty Conscience,” she turned back to the audience. “You guys tired? I’m tired.”

McRae sang her vulnerable track “Grave” from the mezzanine to connect closer with her fans. “I could never make you want me like I wanted to be wanted/ I could never really change you like I thought that I could,” she belted about a relationship where her partner wasn’t who she needed him to be. 

“What time is it?” McRae asked the audience. She ran back to the stage singing “10:35,” a song originally released with Tiësto. White confetti burst into the air and the audience jumped as the electronic single played, turning MGM into a club. McRae ended her set with “Greedy,” a song about feeling empowered in knowing what you want. 

As I left the venue, I embarked on an unavoidable walk in the rain and rushing wind, pondering McRae’s invigorating performance and my decision to wear knee-high platform black boots and a pleated mini skirt. 

Setlist for Tate McRae at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Aug. 9, 2024

• “Hurt My Feelings”
• “Uh Oh”
• “What’s Your Problem?”
• “Feel Like Shit”
• “Calgary”
• “Stay Done”
• “Messier”
• “Cut My Hair”
• “Rubberband”
• “Exes”
• “Guilty Conscience”
• “We’re Not Alike”
• “She’s All I Wanna Be”
• “You Broke Me First”
• “Run for the Hills”
• “Grave”
• “10:35” (originally with Tiësto)

ENCORE

“Greedy”