Reese Renee

Displaying a collected confidence far beyond the mere two years she professed to have dedicated to her musical craft, DC-area singer Reese Renee lit up her late evening time slot with a varied blend of edgy rock, boisterous dance and laidback soul cool. Backed by two vocalists, a guitarist, and a kit drummer armed with separate triggered instrumentation that seemed to double the size of the band, the lively singer peppered her set with inviting call and response lines, tight interwoven vocal melodies, and one particularly eyebrow-raising a cappella section. Dynamic breakdowns and stylistic shifts kept things loose, with rock becoming molasses-thick R&B before sliding into a deep digital groove, all topped by Reese's endearing slight vocal strain and a fun and commanding stage presence you couldn't help but be drawn to. Things wound down with a message of finding your own path in "Release," a cut marked by a screaming '80s rock guitar solo that felt a bit out of place, but in no way detracted from a solid performance by girl who will be interesting to watch grow and build in the coming years.