Lesbian Pop Icon Reneé Rapp Commanded the Austin City Limits Stage

Reneé Rapp, donning a white collared shirt with the phrase "BLEACH BLONDE BAD BUILT BUTCH BODY" in bold letters and a skinny black tie, captivated the Austin City Limits stage from the moment she stepped out.

Rapp, whose 2023 debut album Snow Angel solidified her transition from Broadway star to pop icon and actress in Sex Lives of College Girls, is renowned for her stunning ballads and vengeful tracks that hint at an ex's monstrous offspring. The crowd gathered early, forming a vibrant "gay garden" as the sun set behind the stage, and Rapp did not disappoint.

The quote on her t-shirt is from Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who used it in response to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. during a heated exchange after Greene mocked Crockett's eyelashes. "This one is for Marjorie Taylor Greene," Rapp announced before launching into the fierce track "Poison Poison," where she unapologetically curses out a disliked girl. "Me and Jasmine Crockett hate you."

Despite the emotional intensity of her songs, Rapp's 40-minute set was marked by an undeniable sense of FUN. Opening with "Talk Too Much," a relatable single about overthinking in a relationship, Rapp engaged the audience from the start, encouraging them to sing along—a theme that continued throughout her performance. The crowd enthusiastically jumped and danced as she twirled and moved across the stage.

A natural performer, Rapp used her magnetic stage presence to engage with the cameras, much to the crowd's delight. The live feed displayed behind her only amplified the connection with the audience, but Rapp's powerful voice and dynamic movements did all the heavy lifting.

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The band complemented each song beautifully, bringing Rapp's music to life in exciting new ways even for longtime fans. The electric guitar and keyboard, along with occasional bells and echoey microphone effects, added a mystical tone to her sharp ballads.

Rapp interacted with the audience like an old friend, playfully chastising a fan's scissor motion and challenging the crowd to sing louder than at other shows. During her heart-wrenching ballad "In the Kitchen," she smiled sweetly at the end, seemingly genuinely happy to perform it. Rapp's emotional performances were palpable, as she laid down at the end of emotional ballads and gripped the mic stand while belting out powerful notes.

Although her girlfriend and frequent bassist Towa Bird didn't join her on stage Saturday, fans still enjoyed classic Rapp concert treats, including her on-stage ad libs in "Pretty Girls," uninviting an experimenting girl's boyfriend, and her silly dance during "Willow."

Rapp is celebrated for her blunt honesty in media interviews, her striking vocals, her habit of calling everyone "baby," and her unapologetic ownership of her lesbian identity and fierce love for her community. Her performance at Austin City Limits further cemented her status as a rare, truly legendary talent—she was even listed on the Time 100 just last Wednesday.

Her talent shone brightest during "Snow Angel," the final ballad of the night and perhaps the only song where she stayed serious throughout. "I love it so, so, so much," Rapp said. "I feel like every time I sing it, I redeem myself from that situation, and only myself."

She belted the notes of the song gloriously, captivating an already enraptured audience. In this song especially, she let the emotion move through her, and the audience felt it too.

Rapp will be back at Zilker next weekend for her final performance of the year. One music lover to another, you won't want to miss it.