Photo by Amy Mudagucci
Saturday night was a win for UCSD students as Muir hosted Muirstock, their annual music concert with the amazingly talented Ravyn Lenae headlining. Best known for her song “Love Me Not,” which recently gained traction on TikTok, tickets for Muirstock sold out in days.
As a rising artist in the R&B and alternative soul scene, Lenae first gained recognition for her Moon Shoes EP before solidifying her signature ethereal sound on her album Hypnos, which featured collaborations with the iconic Steve Lacy and Smino. As a previous fan of her work, I was thrilled to be in the presence of Lenae in such an intimate setting, surrounded by my peers. I shared this excitement with the attendees at the Epstein Amphitheater, and was surrounded by at least a hundred people before doors opened. Her latest album, Bird’s Eye, boasts an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Childish Gambino and Ty Dolla $ign, further displaying her ability to craft dynamic collaborations.
Javi Vera, the opener, pumped up the crowd with his infectious enthusiasm despite persistent sound issues throughout his performance. With no fault of Vera's, the sound engineer seemed to falter as his microphone was drowned out by his band, leaving fans looking for his voice amidst the music. After the audience pointed out the audio issues, Vera worked with the audio team to overcome the technical difficulties. The liveliness in the theatre rose as we were all introduced to his Michael Jackson-esque voice, complete with frequent staccatos. Additionally, his groovy dancing across the stage seemed to emulate that of Jackson’s. His personable attitude shone in his crowd participation, finding his Latin peers in the audience and taking pictures on audience members' phones. In Javi Vera fashion, he closed his set by sprinting around the stage throughout his final song.
Anticipation for Ravyn Lenae mounted as her dramatic entrance, complete with instrumental music, set the tone for her performance. From the moment she set foot on the stage, Lenae’s undeniable angelic energy and swift dance moves captivated the audience. By the second song, she already had the crowd waving along. A few tracks later, she proudly told the crowd she would next perform her favorite song from Bird’s Eye, "Days." Singing "I found a better me” was empowering for fans in the audience. Speaking more about her sophomore album, Lenae explained that the record explores the struggles of your twenties while capturing the ongoing journey of getting closer to who you are every single day. This resonated deeply with everyone in attendance.
For the closing chapter of her performance, she played “Skin Tight,” a chill song that brought an ambient energy to the theatre. She briefly left the stage, giving her drummer a moment to shine as he broke into an electric solo. Returning, Lenae shared the story behind “One Wish,” describing her strained relationship with her father and how, after continuous disappointment, she wrote the song as a peace offering to herself. To follow, she played “Genius,” my favorite song of hers. Within seconds, every phone in the crowd was out, signaling I wasn’t the only one excited. Lenae showcased her expansive vocal range with impressive whistle notes and unwavering pitch. To close, she played her viral hit, “Love Me Not.” The phones out for “Genius” hardly compared to the flood of screens that lit up as she began “Love Me Not.” The crowd grooved along to her dreamy vocals and infectious spirit.
As the lights returned to the theatre, the audience was effervescent with delight, gratified by the mesmerizing performance we had just witnessed. The cold air rushed back over me as I realized my exhilaration held a blanket of warmth through the cold fog surrounding us. Despite my high expectations for the evening, they were surpassed by the flawless vocals, invigorating energy, and shared euphoria surrounding me.