2025 really was a year for our pop star Tate McRae, from sold-out concerts and releasing a chart-topping album, So Close To What, to making a diss track highlighting her breakup that resonates with millions of listeners. No one can even say what she lacks from last year, all because of the drive which took her into being a phenomenon pop girl of our today’s generation. Remarkably praised for her angelic singing and her refined and polished dancing background, McRae is seriously putting in her best effort for the world to see that she’s a lifeline to pop music in the digital age.
She was awarded the Billboard Award for Best Hitmaker, and now, showing up for her Met Gala debut, you can immediately tell that this girl has reached spectacular success with her music career. Being under criticism over multiple leaked songs and lip syncing accusations haven’t flinched her. She just continues providing great art we can rely on, subverting claims that don’t matter at all. Her nuanced actions in 2025 just heightened her career even more and made it possible to achieve all of that. While she’s takes a break, here are the most impressive performances from Tate McRae so far that put a spell on us.
Performing ‘Siren sounds’ at the Miss Possessive Tour
One thing that gets stuck in my head in particular is how McRae pours out her raw emotions across the pop stage. During her performance of Siren sounds at her Miss Possessive Tour, Tate took a moment to self-reflect and show her vulnerability – she’s on her knees during the glitchy, chopped-up synths. The dramatic red and blue lights flashing against her perfectly match the atmosphere of the snippet of the song, which is everything. And if you heard it well enough, it seemed like someone in the crowd said, “COOL!”
It also became a trend because of the same sentiment we hold for the song. Fan-made edits on TikTok for popular TV shows like Heated Rivalry used the song during a back-and-forth transition between Shane and Ilya, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, to highlight their dynamic relationship.
Same with that heartfelt edit for Ariana Grande which contrasted her characters from her albums Positions and eternal sunshine yet with very similar standpoints.
But we’re forever grateful to McRae for releasing this song and making it a bonus track on So Close To What after it leaked. Ever since it dropped, people have gotten attached to it and made it a personal antidote to what they’re feeling inside.
Starting off Miss Possessive Tour Strong with Lollapalooza
Tate’s energy was palpable at Lollapalooza, marking her first appearance for her tour to major Latin countries: Chile, Argentina and Brazil. She was clad in leopard prints both in Brazil and Argentina, and wore a sporty ensemble in Chile.
Her exceptional and addictive choreography was show-stopping, not once letting her stamina slip away. For the outro of her Revolving Door performance, I knew McRae would be replicating the end of her music video.
And that to me was a moment that will never be overlooked. To show her soft spot is enough to significantly resonate with the audience.
Working With the Camera During ‘Just Keep Watching’
Tate’s experimentation with those angles never misses. She seductively stepped into the circle like a literal goddess, only to be surrounded by cameras, and later found herself bewitching each lens. The post-chorus was when all the standee cams would alternately take live shots and project those concoctions onto the big screen.
On top of that, Just Keep Watching, from F1 The Album, was one of the most-streamed songs. It was also nominated for Best Dance Pop Recording at the 2026 Grammys, alongside Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra, PinkPantheress’ Illegal, Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun, and Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s Bluest Flame.
And if you’re still not over the Just Keep Watching music video—well, same girl! McRae’s visually alluring struts on the runway made those racers in helmets turn heads, which is an exact representation of how we see her in the spotlight—Tate is absolutely one to watch!
Performing at the MTV VMAs Had Us Gagged Like KATSEYE
McRae’s viral VMAs performance was a big hit—we were absolutely not prepared for how good it was. Learning the whole choreography in just two days before the event was just unbelievable. Let’s not forget Tate was in the middle of touring. Girlie was definitely not going to miss out on this.
Tate’s dance number earned a nod from Harper’s Bazaar, noting that her performance “impressed” them. Meanwhile, Billboard ranked McRae as the best performer that night, given the authority she wielded. “She doesn’t just deserve the stage – when she’s there, she owns it.”
McRae’s Sports Car dance in the sand completely had me gagged. KATSEYE’s reaction said it all. Members of the girl group – Sophia Laforteza, Yoonchaea, and Lara Raj were absolutely thrilled by it. I mean, Yoonchae and Laforteza’s jaws completely dropped.
Debuting ‘Tit For Tat’ at The Khia Forum
Tate’s breakup anthem hit it off right away when she debuted it at the Khia Forum. She unleashed the track to retaliate against The Kid LAROI’s A COLD PLAY and the crowd went insane hearing it live for the very first time–on the same day the song was released.
I love that McRae isn’t going down without a fight as she sings, “If you want to fight/ Let’s go song for song, let’s go back to back.”
Last year, I promised myself I would only listen to the song once my midterms were done. I remember that Friday night, several hours after it dropped, I saw Tate’s Instagram Story announcing its release–thankfully the post didn’t have the song playing on it, so I was able to stick to my challenge and not spoil the hit for myself. She wrote the song “two weeks ago in Nashville on tour,” Tate said in her story. I rewarded myself with a Snickers bar and proceeded to stream it on Spotify–the best feeling ever!
If I were to pick a finisher line for McRae’s Tit For Tat, I would go with: “That’s the best you got, where’s the good one at?” Or maybe this vicious one-liner, “Fix your F—n’ self, kiss my ass for that.”
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