At just 25, Reneé Rapp has already achieved major success with a box-office-leading film (Mean Girls), a popular television series (HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls), and a chart-topping album. On Monday night, the powerhouse vocalist added another significant milestone to her career: a headlining performance at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden.
The show is part of her latest tour supporting the album Bite Me, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and featured popular tracks like “Leave Me Alone.” Over two hours, Rapp treated the arena to the entirety of Bite Me, selections from her debut album Snow Angel, and its preceding EP, Everything to Everyone.
The concert began with the title track from that EP, following a video interlude where Rapp portrayed different versions of herself to highlight the various roles she navigates in her life. She then launched into the riotous energy of “Leave Me Alone.”
Commanding the stage solo without backup singers or dancers, Rapp made full use of the set, which featured a black-and-white checkered floor and a star-shaped, pink-lit platform. Her aesthetic was a singular blend of glam rock and punk pop, evident in her silver-and-black outfit and emphasis on her live band. This was tempered with nods to her theater background, including red curtains framing the stage and narrative video interludes showcasing her acting skills. This tension was also reflected in the setlist, where she cut her Mean Girls single “Not My Fault” short to transition into the similarly disco-tinged “At Least I’m Hot” from Bite Me.
From an emotional performance of her debut single “In the Kitchen” to a powerful Beyoncé cover, the night was filled with memorable moments. One of the most telling was when she gave each member of her band—Tim Ramsey (bass), Josh Porter (guitar), Terrence Vaughn (keys), Ari O’Neal (guitar), and Josh Foster (drums)—an individual spotlight, with their names displayed on the main screen.
Here are the standout moments from Reneé Rapp’s Bite Me Tour at Madison Square Garden.
Syd Flaunts Range During Opening Set
Opening the show was Syd, lead vocalist of The Internet, who recently revealed that new music from the band is forthcoming. With a smooth tone and a charmingly reserved stage presence, she performed a collection of songs displaying her range as an artist. Her set included the seductive new single “Die for This,” The Internet’s signature hit “Girl,” and her infectious 2016 Kaytranada collaboration, “You’re the One.”
Syd also performed “Plastic Off the Sofa,” a track she co-wrote for Beyoncé’s Renaissance. Opting for a lo-fi, jazz-leaning arrangement, her rendition felt distinctly her own, a notable feat for a song with an existing Grammy-winning version.
“Welcome to My Crash Out!”
After powerful renditions of “Everything to Everyone” and “Leave Me Alone,” Rapp took a moment to address the sold-out arena. “My name is Renée Rapp,” she proclaimed, “And welcome to my crash out!” The tongue-in-cheek greeting was also a fitting description for the concert’s ethos, reflecting the unapologetic and confrontational energy of the Bite Me album.
Alyah Chanelle Scott & Alexander 23 Cameos
During the night’s final song, “At Least I’m Hot,” Rapp shared the stage with two collaborators for the track’s call-and-response verse. Her former Sex Lives of College Girls co-star Alyah Chanelle Scott and the track’s co-writer, Alexander 23, joined her for a brief but intimate moment of connection amidst the massive arena show.
Reneé Proudly Displays Beyhive Badge
Rapp has long been a vocal member of Beyoncé’s “Beyhive,” and she paid tribute to her idol with a stunning cover of “Ego” from the 2008 album I Am… Sasha Fierce. Seated at a grand piano, she flawlessly executed the song’s intricate vocal riffs, which have since inspired a TikTok challenge. “If you don’t know that song, you’re too young,” she joked to rapturous applause. The mutual admiration between the two artists, with Beyoncé previously naming Rapp one of her favorite current singer-songwriters, made the moment even more special.
“In the Kitchen”
While the show had its explosive opener and a high-energy finale, the emotional and vocal centerpiece was Rapp’s 2022 debut single, “In the Kitchen.” Performing the demanding ballad more than an hour into her set, her powerful delivery was matched by the raw emotion visible in her eyes. The performance served as a full-circle moment, marking her journey from an emerging artist to a star selling out arenas. As she scanned the packed venue near the song’s end, the connection with her fans was palpable, solidifying the track as the soundtrack to her definitive “I made it” moment.
