Flames vocalist, Rachel Mukasa, gives her personal insight and account of All Points East along with a real insight into what it’s like being a member of Flames Collective. From solo to life as part of a group, the personal growth, hard work and the shared learning curves, Rachel shines a light…
My name is Rachel Mukasa, I’m 19 years old and when I joined Flames in 2023, I was 17, a shy singer and contemplating giving up on music altogether. Over the last two years, the support and professional opportunities presented through Flames Collective have not only changed the trajectory of my life but finally given me the courage to view music as a career option.
When doing backing vocals for RAYE, the same musical arrangements are rarely used twice. This meant for a headline show at All Points East, there would be many new changes and adaptations we would have to quickly learn. Not an easy job for a 30-piece choir. Initially we were all at different stages of re-learning RAYE’s music and with the show fast approaching, staying on top of what we needed to know (and might change) was essential.
Prior to the first rehearsal, our musical director, Andy Gilbert sent us a rough outline of the most recent musical arrangements which we would all tackle together on the first Monday rehearsal at UD’s Talent House.
The rehearsals typically consisted of 8 hour days starting as early as 8:30am, which meant a 5:30am wakeup for commuters like myself, and even earlier for those living outside of London! However, my groggy morning was a distant memory as I sat alongside RAYE’s band.
“There’s something beautiful about watching your favourite album come to life in front of you.”
“It was a moment where I asked myself how an east London teenager, like me, could be sat metres away from my favourite artist on a random Wednesday afternoon.”
I briefly spoke to Dan Ellis on percussion as he passed us sweets during rehearsals. After showing us his adorable 2-year-old son, he candidly spoke about the joys and struggles of being both a parent and touring musician. I felt profound admiration for the musicians who were following their dreams while building a beautiful life for their children, but I also found myself oddly moved as I pictured what my life could be in the distant future.
As predicted, our 14-hour show day at All Points East was a whirlwind of emotions. At the time, nothing worried me more than forgetting our newly learnt parts and choreography directed by Maureen Moores, maybe more so than the actual singing itself!
Upon arrival, fellow choir member Emre Dilen Nalbantoglu and I walked through accreditation and were warmly welcomed with a full English breakfast and a briefing on our day. The sunshine and hashbrowns definitely felt like a good omen for the rest of the busy day.
When working with Flames, it often feels like you’re working with fewer people than you really are but as all 30 of us stood on our risers during our soundcheck, it was impossible to not appreciate the sheer brilliance of a thirty-piece choir. I could see the big-band vision RAYE was going for.
With our Assistant Tutor and Project Support, Kadi, we left the backstage compound and ventured into the festival to see Amma and Absolutely (RAYE’s younger sisters) perform. With melodies that can only be described as a river, Amma opened the set on the east stage in a beautiful sparkly two-piece that had me mesmerised by her voice and style. We also came to support Absolutely whose final song ‘I Just Don’t Know You Yet’ featured 10 Flames Collective singers joining her on the stage (and is currently trending on TikTok)! Her latest single is so catchy; I found myself singing the chorus in my kitchen the following morning.
Around 6pm was where crunch time really began. Have you ever gotten ready with your friends? One’s in the bathroom, one is using the hallway mirror, and another is in your bedroom asking if you have any eyeliner. Now imagine 30 people and 25 of those being girls to be exact.
With my last remaining hour before call time back at the dressing room, I decided to go back into the festival with friends and see Tyla live instead of dinner. (Not a single regret)
As I felt call time approaching, I left Tyla’s set and returned to the dressing room where we did our final rehearsal before walking to the main stage. As we walked up the steps towards the stage behind the large plasma screens, I felt excitement bubbling in my chest. We were all waiting for the woman herself to appear, wondering what extravagant dress RAYE would be wearing. In a pink, satin 1950s-style dress we saw RAYE emerge from the west wing of the stage, followed by other band members smiling and waving at us.
We got into a large circle and RAYE led us in prayer, a ritual that’s surprisingly common amongst artists. I was taken back to Sasha Keable’s Meltdown gig where we all held hands in a circle and prayed away our nerves in a similar fashion. Only this time, the circle was made up of a minimum of 50 people including core members of RAYE’s team!
Standing on the red risers with a microphone in front of me, I looked to the right and saw members of the crowd as far as the eye can see, so much so I felt as though it was artificially generated. So many people cheering and screaming for RAYE, the closest fans pressed against the barricade holding signs. As she addressed the crowd in her silky pink dress, the cheers from the park were deafening. I felt so startled by the amount of people I could see, all the individual faces waving their hands and screaming their admiration.
After my initial nerves wore off, I really loved being a part of such a beautiful show. I felt so moved by ‘I Know You’re Hurting’ and ‘Ice Cream Man’ but the energetic nightclub section made me wish more RAYE songs were played at my uni club!
Barefoot and holding our heels, back at the dressing rooms we were treated to pizza, exhausted from both the adrenaline rush and the day that was now behind us. Too tired to even consider thoughts of an afterparty, I flagged down the nearest bus and sat with my head against the window humming ‘Where’s My Husband’ to myself. Thankfully, THAT song’s out soon and I can sleep well.
Words: Rachel Mukasa. Follow Rachel on Instagram.
Follow Flames Collective on TikTok HERE.
