LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Reneé Rapp in Boston, MA (10.02.25)
Reneé Rapp doesn’t actually hate Boston, despite what her song titled “I Hate Boston” says. In fact, she mentioned it’s one of her favorite places to play, with fans being some of the most eager and funniest she’s seen. Rapp performed her biggest show so far in Boston at TD Garden, or as fans suggested by signs held up, that it’s Titty Garden, to which Reneé had to call out because it was that funny to her. Rapp delivered a performance that was as vocally commanding as it was emotionally revealing, reminding us all why she’s quickly becoming one of pop’s most exciting forces.
Her stage presence is magnetic. With sharp humor and unapologetic candor, Rapp made the space feel intimate, even while commanding a massive crowd. She’s not just performing, she’s connecting with everyone. She also creates such a welcoming space for the queer community as a member of it herself. She definitely knows her audience and loves joking around with them but also making sure they feel safe and can truly be themselves at her shows, and it’s evident because you could see everyone was truly having the time of their lives. Rapp’s visuals were clean and effective with a unique set design that featured a star-shaped stage, a chandelier that featured hanging bras, and projections on the screen that amplified the emotional arc of each song. The real spectacle was her voice, that powerhouse belt that can cut like a knife one minute and then whisper like a secret the next. She let her vocal prowess speak for itself, as she effortlessly hit every high note with ease and power.
The setlist was filled with songs all throughout her discography, including hits from her newest album BITE ME, like “Kiss It Kiss It”, “Leave Me Alone”, and “Shy”. Also including classics like “Snow Angel” and “Pretty Girls”. Of course, being in Boston, she wasn’t going to leave everyone hanging and not play “I Hate Boston”, which is usually not on her regular setlist. Fans went feral for that song, and she was eating up every second of it.
Photos – Reneé Rapp at TD Garden in Boston, MA on October 2nd: (photos by John Hutchings)
