Rainbow Riot: Reneé Rapp Slays ACL with Woke Wonder

Strutting onto the Austin City Limits stage like she owned the place (let’s be real, she did), lesbian pop sensation Reneé Rapp served more than just music—she served looks and attitude in a white collared shirt emblazoned with "BLEACH BLONDE BAD BUILT BUTCH BODY". The skinny black tie was just the cherry on top of this fabulous, unapologetic sundae.

For those not in the know, Rapp's 2023 debut album Snow Angel vaulted the former Broadway diva into pop royalty. She graced us with stunning ballads and savage tracks that should have her exes shaking in their boots. The crowd, akin to a vibrant gay garden blooming under the setting sun, gathered early and boy, did Rapp deliver.

Her shirt's mantra? Courtesy of the ever-iconic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who threw shade at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. during a piping hot hearing after Greene mocked her eyelashes. Rapp, dedicated "Poison Poison" to MTG: "This one is for Marjorie Taylor Greene. Me and Jasmine Crockett hate you." Slay, queen, slay.

Despite the high drama and soul-stirring emotion, Rapp’s 40-minute set oozed FUN. Kicking off with "Talk Too Much", a self-deprecating anthem about overthinking in a relationship, Rapp had the audience singing along from the jump. And they did—jumping, dancing, and living their best lives as Rapp twirled and strutted across the stage.

A natural performer, Rapp worked the stage like a pro, engaging with mischievous facial gestures to the crowd's glee. Her vocals, effortlessly hitting higher keys and stretching notes, needed no visual gimmicks—the live feed of her and her impressive audience was just a bonus.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Her band was on fire, breathing new life into each song, especially with the electric guitar and keyboard jamming along. Rapp chatted with the audience like long-lost friends, playfully scolding a fan and even asking the crowd to shout "hey queen" to a young fan upfront. During the heartrending "In the Kitchen", she smiled sweetly at the end, genuinely happy to perform. You could feel her energy, laying down at the end of emotional ballads and gripping the mic stand like a lifeline.

Though her girlfriend Towa Bird didn’t join her on stage, Rapp fans still enjoyed classic concert treats: ad-libs, hilarious interactions, and silly dances.

Rapp’s reputation precedes her—blunt honesty, jaw-dropping vocals, and fierce love for her community. Her performance at ACL solidified her status as a truly legendary talent (shoutout to her recent Time 100 accolade).

This talent shone brightest in "Snow Angel", her final ballad. "I love it so, so, so much," Rapp confessed. "I feel like every time I sing it, I redeem myself from that situation, and only myself." With glorious belting and captivating emotions, the audience was left in awe.

Catch her final performance of the year at Zilker next weekend—trust me, you won’t want to miss this.