Addison Rae hosted an exclusive, intimate album listening event at The Box in New York City on Thursday (June 5), giving fans a first listen to her self-titled debut, Addison, which officially arrived hours later. The event, hosted by Spotify, featured the live premiere of new songs, offering fans an opportunity to experience the music ahead of its release at midnight.
The special event saw fans lining up hours in advance to get the chance to hear her sing live. Among the famous names who attended were Conan Gray, Julia Fox, Clairo and Jade.
She first appeared on Billboard’s charts in 2021, with her debut single “Obsessed” on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 tally. In August 2023, she released her debut EP, AR, featuring a collaboration with Charli XCX.
Her rising popularity led “Diet Pepsi” — her first major-label release under Columbia Records — to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 86 in September. Following this success, she released several more singles, including “Aquamarine,” “High Fashion” and “Headphones On,” each showcasing her evolving sound and artistic vision.
The new album is packed with a variety of sounds, showcasing her versatility as an artist. Her ability to effortlessly shift between styles proves her adaptability in the music industry. With each release, she continues to carve out her own space in pop, and it’s clear she’s well on her way to stardom.
The rising star performed seven songs from Addison for the first time at the intimate NYC venue: “Fame Is a Gun,” “High Fashion,” “Aquamarine,” “New York,” “Headphones On” “Diet Pepsi” and “Times Like These.” Here are the five best moments from her performance:
Addison Rae started off the night with her live performance of “Fame Is a Gun” as the curtains of The Box opened to reveal her in a vertical silk bed that her dancers pushed her out on stage with. Her dancers then ripped off the silk sheets to reveal Rae restrained by her arms and her legs while wearing burlesque-style lingerie.
“I have a question for you,” she told the crowd. “Have you ever dreamt of being seen?” she sang as she segued into her second song of the night with an old Hollywood burlesque version of her recent single “High Fashion.” This sultry performance, with Rae wearing lingerie and heels, took fans back to the 1940s — think sparkles, glitter, heels and dancing while singing into a retro-style mic.
Addison made a quick change into a blue dress that complemented the song’s mood, while her best friend Lexi read sultry, dark poetry as multiple mirrors were set up to surround the stage. She performed “Aquamarine” surrounded by these mirrors, allowing fans to catch striking glimpses of her reflections as she sang. The performance was rich in imagery and high energy, perfectly mirroring the crowd’s excitement for the track.
“This next song is kind of the one that started it all. If you know it, sing along,” Rae told the crowd as she stepped on stage in jean shorts, a white crop top, heels and a white feather boa. She launched into “Diet Pepsi,” a track that has become a favorite among fans. The crowd erupted, singing along word for word, making it the most electric moment of the night.
As fans chanted for an encore, Rae playfully popped her leg out from behind the closed curtains and asked, “Would you be mad at us if we did one more song?” She returned to the stage with “Times Like These,” one of her most tender and emotional tracks, an ideal choice to close the night and leave fans in a reflective mood. Raising a glass at the end of the song, she and her dancers shared a celebratory toast, thanking the crowd for being part of the special moment and celebrating her debut album.
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