Live review from 21st Anniversary Festival Day 2:
1. Begging You
2. Stay the Night
3. Cigarette
4. Close Your Eyes
5. I Wanna Be a Rockstar
6. Fades Away
7. Fall Out of Love
RUE is a solo artist—but you wouldn’t know it from the way she filled the room. For this Underground set, she brought along some talented friends: Jaz on keys, Khain on drums, and Benjamin on bass. Together they created a clean, emotional sound that’s delicate without ever feeling weak. There’s a pop structure to what she does, but it’s coated in rawness and reflection.
They opened with “Begging You”, and I immediately wrote: “OMG, I need this song.” It was intimate and personal. I could feel this lightheaded, upbeat energy underneath everything, like it was floating—but grounded by Rue’s vocals. The phrasing in the chorus reminded me of something Bruno Mars might sing if he had a heartbreak pop phase. When Rue hit the words “I’m begging you,” it landed. Any anxieties I had were lifted. What a way to start.
“Stay the Night” was introduced in Cantonese, but sung in English. Rue said it was one she’d like us to dance to—and people did. The upbeat, positive vibes bounced around the room. It had this playful innocence to it, like someone nervously asking their lover a question, but already knowing the answer. It wouldn’t be so happy otherwise.
Then came “Cigarette.” Rue introduced this one in English. The mood shifted—this song was about being done wrong on her birthday. Despite the subject matter, it didn’t wallow. The keys provided a nice contrast to the grit in the lyrics. The line “Pass me a cigarette!” landed hard. The bass and drums held it steady and tight. You could feel the bitterness, but the groove kept it moving.
“Close Your Eyes” was the chance to let loose a bit. There was a Red Hot Chili Peppers flavour to the rhythm section, and Rue played up the energy with swaying, lean-in vocals. It had attitude, but also a soft pleading underneath it. Like asking for just a moment of peace in the middle of chaos.
Before launching into “I Wanna Be a Rockstar,” Rue shouted, “This one’s for the broken heart!” The guitar and vocals began gently, building up into a full-band anthem. This song hit that sweet spot between personal and universal—one of those tracks that sounds like it’s about someone, but ends up being about everyone.
“Fades Away” was Rue at her most stripped back. This was one of those “deep breath” songs—a moment of stillness before the finale. Rue introduced it by saying it was about wanting to die young—at 25, to be exact. “Don’t worry,” she added, “I made it.” That got a warm laugh from the crowd, but the song itself was no joke. The keys floated, the beat was soft, and Rue’s voice lingered like a secret. The whole thing felt like it was slipping through your fingers as it played. Beautiful, but brief.
Finally, “Fall Out of Love.” Rue mentioned how artists often monetise their breakups—and this was hers. The chorus had that sing-along quality that sticks with you, even if you’re not sure you’ve heard the words before. There was heartache in there, but it didn’t wallow. It felt like someone finally putting the last box of their ex’s stuff away.
Rue didn’t need flashy tricks or over-the-top solos. Just good songs, played well, and shared honestly. It wasn’t a set that demanded attention—but it quietly earned it.
Were you paying attention, or were you too busy feeling things?
– Cain McInerney
