A Conversation with Juice Jam Opener Rachel Grae

Article By Yoonji Lee, University Union Productions Board | Photo by Kennedy Smith

Singer-songwriter Rachel Grae opened for Juice Jam last Sunday, amazing the crowd with her powerful vocals and emotional pop ballads.

Students and staff gathered to listen to Grae, who accompanied talented artists Ryan Beatty, Denzel Curry and Flo Rida in Sunday’s lineup. University Union spoke with her about her songwriting process and close connection with her fanbase.

She stunned the crowds as she started her set, her songs conveying deep emotions that separated her from other artists. “I write straight out of my diary,” Grae said. “It's like a journal entry every single song, so I'm sure everybody can kind of relate to what I go through.”

Grae’s songs were undeniably moving,

causing heads to turn as she sang her first songs, “Friend Like Me” and “Someone Else,” which touched on friendships and love.

Additionally, Grae often spoke in between songs throughout the set, creating an intimate concert experience with the audience. Unsurprisingly, she calls her fan base her “friend base,” as she is “literally talking to them 24/7” through social media.

Rachel says she “plays this big sister role but like no matter what age it is, where if a fan messages me and I see it, I'm gonna respond. There's just, I don't know, I kind of treat them like my family. And that's kind of why we're all really close.”

This certainly rang true during her performance as she called out and thanked two girls dancing in the back of the crowd, proving her genuine connection with her devoted fan base. Her gratitude towards her fans was evident, demonstrating her tight-knit “friend base” would continue to support her as she broke through the pop scene with her electrifying music.