Flames Collective joined RAYE and her band for the first NFL Halftime Show in London on Sunday 5th October at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Flames member, Victoria Ho, takes us backstage for an access all areas report…
My name is Victoria Ho, and I am 18 years old. I joined Flames Collective at the age of 15, coming from a musical background as a drummer.
Recently, I had the incredible honour of performing with RAYE at the National Football League (NFL) Halftime Show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, broadcast on both UK and US television. Standing on that stage, in front of over 60,000 people, was an unforgettable moment.
I have been a fan of RAYE since first hearing her collaboration with Jax Jones, ‘You Don’t Know Me‘, and performed as one of her backing vocalists on her show My 21st Century Blues Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall in 2023. Performing alongside her on such a global stage as the NFL Half Time Show fills me with both amazement and gratitude.
“RAYE is an exceptionally talented artist, and I am excited to see her continue to reach new heights.”
Victoria Ho
Preparing for the Performance
For this show, we had two main rehearsals: one focused on learning the choreography created by the incredible Maureen Moores at the Malcolm Ryans Studio, and another dress rehearsal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the day before the event.
The choreography was both fun and challenging. With 30 of us performing, precision and unity were essential to achieve a clean, sharp look. Singing while executing the choreography introduced a new layer of difficulty, but through practice and teamwork, we quickly found our rhythm and confidence.
During the dress rehearsal, many of us wore beautiful stiletto heels, which unfortunately did not cooperate well with the artificial grass! We ended up having to walk to and from the stage on our barefoot — a hilarious and unique experience that brought us even closer as a group.
The Energy of the Day
Behind the scenes, the energy among the 30 singers of Flames Collective was electric. We were all fuelled by the thrill of performing and a shared determination to give our best. Walking onto the pitch to perform for such a vast crowd was both humbling and exhilarating.
The stadium atmosphere was incredible. Fans from both the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns filled the venue with passion and excitement. As we prepared backstage, the sound of cheering fans and the intensity of the game made the moment feel unreal — almost as if we had stepped into the heart of American sports culture.
Before heading out, our musical director Andy Gilbert gathered us for group photos in front of the NFL sign. Soon after, we made our way to the pitch. The stage managers coordinated our entrance with precision, ensuring everything ran seamlessly once the players had cleared the field. As I walked across the pitch, the buzzing energy of the game was simply overwhelming.
Once the stage was set, we took our positions and awaited RAYE’s cue. The six-minute performance flew by in what felt like seconds, yet the memories will last a lifetime. Observing the professionalism of the videography and camera crews also gave me new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes artistry that brings performances like this to life.
A Moment of Gratitude
Being part of this event was an extraordinary experience, and I am deeply proud to represent Flames Collective. My heartfelt thanks go to RAYE, the NFL, and our dedicated team — Andy, Pamela, and Kadi — for giving us this remarkable opportunity.
Performing on that stage reminded me why I fell in love with music and performance in the first place — the connection, the collaboration, and the pure joy of sharing art with other people.
Watch RAYE’s FULL Halftime Show at the NFL London Game HERE.
Words: Victoria Ho.
Additional photography: lina sounds
Follow Victoria on Instagram HERE.
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