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Concerts

Tate McRae Performs First Hometown Concert at Calgary Stampede: 'I Put Off Doing This Show For So Many Years'

The breakout Canadian star took the stage to an excited audience for renditions of hits like "Greedy" and "You Broke Me First," as well as performing her song "Calgary" in its namesake city.

Tate McRae
Tate McRae
Courtesy Photo

One of Canada's buzziest stars was just welcomed home with open arms — and screaming fans.

Tate McRae performed her first hometown show on Friday (July 5) during the Calgary Stampede. The L.A.-based musician, who had a major breakthrough year in 2023 with her Canadian Hot 100 No. 1 "Greedy," sang chart hits like "Exes" and "You Broke Me First" for a crowd that knew every word.


Surrounded by backup dancers and outfitted in a glam miniskirt, fringe-heavy arm bands and, of course, boots, McRae brought pop star confidence to the Cowboys Music Festival stage.

@freshdailycalgary

Tate McRae has entered the chat 🥹 Welcome home queen! #calgary #yyc #tatemcrae #cowboys #stampede #calgarystampede

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@cndysan

Girl can sing 💗 @tate mcrae #calgarystampede #tatemcrae #tatemcraetour

She also took some time to speak frankly with the audience.

"I put off doing this show for so many years because I felt like I was gonna shit my pants," McRae said. "We're finally here, we're doing it," she continued, "It's really crazy — I feel so proud to be from Calgary."

But coming back to Calgary can also be disorienting for McRae. "There's so many memories, and you know things in my brain that I associate with this place, so many songs I've written about this place," she said. "Every time I come back home I feel like the annoying little sister, a f--king pain in the ass to my parents, and I go back to all my old high school traits," she continued, guessing that some in the audience could relate.

McRae channeled those feelings into writing "Calgary," off of her 2023 album Think Later, and after the vulnerable introduction, she performed that song in its namesake city for the first time — to an audience that was glad to have her back.

@channysvinyl

Tate Mcrae's speech before singing calgary IN Calgary at the Cowboys Music Festival 💙 #tatemcrae #thinklatertour #calgarystampede #concert #cowboysmusicfestival @tate mcrae

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Dallas Smith
Courtesy Photo

Dallas Smith

FYI

Music News Digest: Hamilton's Festival of Friends Turns 50 with Feist, Dallas Smith and an All-Star Canadian Last Waltz Concert

Also this week: an unorthodox patriotic EP series from We Are Busy Bodies, celebrating the legacy of Sonny Rollins, nominations open for MMF Canada Board of Directors and more.

This weekend, the Festival of Friends in Hamilton turns 50.

The free summer music fest has earned iconic status locally, booking major international and Canadian stars as well as promoting Hamilton-based artists. Running July 31 to Aug. 2, this milestone anniversary edition features one of the events most formidable lineups. Headlining the first two nights are, respectively platinum-selling artists Dallas Smith and Feist, while Sunday's mainstage lineup features a long list of Canadian stars in a performance hosted and curated by roots-rock supertrio Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (featuring local legend Tom Wilson).

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