Being the opener of a major festival can be a nerve-racking experience, but for Canadian R&B sensation Savannah Ré, it was a moment for her to bear it all on stage. The Toronto native took the stage confidently and quickly captivated the crowd with her smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics.
She opened with her song “Highly Favoured,” a powerful ballad that served as a sonic snapshot of all the hard work she’s put in to land her first International festival at Lollapalooza. The audience was captivated, emotional, and engaged as she sang, “Usually learn the hard way/ Gotta count, count my blessings, highly favoured.”
This performance at Lollapalooza was a testament to her growing influence in the music scene. It showcased her vocal prowess and ability to connect with a diverse audience. Her setlist was carefully curated, featuring a mix of her well-known tracks like “Where You Are” and newer releases like “Wake Up,” each resonating with the audience on a different level.
Photo Credits: Mark Braboy (@shootyourmark)
Her stage presence was a key element of her successful Lollapalooza set. Dressed in a chic yet unique outfit, she let her music take center stage, commanding attention with her voice. Her interactions with the crowd were genuine and heartfelt; she took moments between songs to express her gratitude for the support she’s received throughout her career, making the performance feel intimate despite the large festival setting.
When she comes off the stage, you can feel the high energy throughout the room and see the gratitude radiating. “Honestly, I’m buzzing right now and trying to let it soak in,” she tells GU. “This is my first international festival ever, and the love I received, I’m on cloud nine right now.”
The three-time JUNO award winner continues to reach new heights and advises all upcoming artists to appreciate the process. “You got to walk before you run,” she says. “I opened the show, and for a lot of people, that can be very daunting, but for all the artists I look up to, this is how they started.”
Photo Credits: Mark Braboy (@shootyourmark)
She is fully embracing the journey of being an upcoming artist by focusing on authentic storytelling in her music, drawing from personal experiences to create relatable and powerful songs. Though she’s no stranger to the industry and is known for writing songs for artists from Normani to Jessie Reyez, she still has moments of surprise when she realizes that people continue to support her movement as she breaks out into the new era of R&B.
For any Zillennial chronically online, there’s been constant discourse and conversation about the state of the beloved genre. Still, for artists like Ré, her real-time encouragement outweighs any of the digital pressure the internet places on the next generation of artists. “To see it in real life is mind-blowing; it feels fulfilling,” she says. “Getting to perform, see people, and share energy makes it all worth it.”
Her priority remains connecting with her fans, highlighting her ability to create music that resonates deeply with them. For this next era, she’s hoping to reveal another vulnerable layer of herself. “My next era is more of me; I’ve been blessed to have a lot of support with my music, but I don’t think people really know who I am,” she says.
Photo Credits: Mark Braboy (@shootyourmark)
As her set came to a close, it was clear that she had made a lasting impression on those in attendance, many of whom were experiencing her music live for the first time. Lollapalooza 2024 was a significant milestone in her career, marking her transition from a rising star to a bonafide force in the music industry.
Being a first-generation Jamaican Canadian who’s newly independent, Ré hopes to continue pushing the envelope, sharing her flavor with the world, and showcasing how her sound is a refreshing touch the industry needs. “I just want to bring my honest approach and more of those love crooning and yearning songs,” she says.
Savannah Ré’s Lollapalooza performance was a showcase of her soulful voice, relatable lyrics, and genuine stage presence ensured that her set would be remembered as one of the festival’s standout moments. As she continues to rise in the music world, this new chapter will be looked back on as a pivotal moment in her journey and a refreshing starter to this new musical journey as she preps for new music coming this fall.
“I’m hoping they takeaway a mirror that you can see yourself in me,” Ré says. “I’m hoping that at some point in the journey of my music that somebody can relate, feel good or get that cry out that they needed to, but be on that journey with me.”
About the Author: Kenyatta Victoria is the lead writer for Essence GU, working on all things pop culture, politics, entertainment and business. Throughout her time at GU, she’s garnered devoted readers and specializes in the Zillennial point of view.