British singer-songwriter RAYE’s performance at the MTV EMAs earlier this month was nothing short of show-stopping, her powerful vocals soaring with the choir that brought an electrifying depth and soul to the stage. That dynamic force behind her? Flames Collective, a group of exceptionally talented young vocalists who are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with.
With RAYE as both collaborator and unofficial mentor, Flames Collective has become an essential part of her live performances, their voices amplifying her music’s emotional intensity and delivering sparks of soulful harmonies and raw energy. Flames isn’t just a choir—it’s a talent incubator and a social movement, thanks to UD Music, a platform that gives young people from underrepresented communities the chance to shine on stages most artists could only dream of.
Flames Collective is made up of 60+ vocalists, with the core group of ‘Members’ aged between 14-21, alongside the ‘Associates’—the more experienced members—handpicked from London secondary schools and colleges for their vocal talent and potential. Led by musical director Andy Gilbert, this group, whom he says is “one of the industry’s best-kept secrets”, has remained under the radar—until now. With each high-profile performance, they’re becoming impossible to overlook, with former members including rising 0207 Def Jam artist Amie Blu.
The turning point for Flames came in 2023, when a session with The Absolutely (RAYE’s sister) resulted in a small group joining RAYE’s Pyramid Stage performance at Glastonbury. Going on to join the star for her sold-out Royal Albert Hall show last September, Flames—along with The Heritage Orchestra—were cemented with the recording and release of My 21st Century Symphony (Live at the Royal Albert Hall). Subsequently screened on the BBC, the concert is currently being shown in cinemas around the world. Now RAYE’s go-to choir, they’ve been rolling with her to every major stage, including the BRIT Awards, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, The O2, Capital’s Summertime Ball and Reading & Leeds Festival. RAYE has even taken some alumni as her backing vocalists to special gigs, including a private event in Morocco. “Raye’s like an aunt to them,” says Gilbert, adding that she even told the group she wishes she could have joined Flames as a teen. “Her journey resonates deeply with our singers.”
Since its inception, Flames has been driven by UD Music, an Arts Council England National Youth Music Organisation (NYMO), 25 years deep in the development game, bringing communities together around Black music and culture and giving marginalised talent the tools, opportunities and connections to not only break into the music industry but also create a support system that helps creatives unlock their full potential within music. Founded in the late ’90s by Pamela McCormick and a bunch of hip-hop artists, UD Music has a long history of working with homegrown success stories, such as Little Simz, Ghetts, Skepta and many other top-tier artists who were given early support.
Flames is one of UD’s flagship youth education programmes, offering weekly rehearsals, songwriting camps and professional gigs that give these young singers a taste of the industry. UD is also keen to set new industry standards, making sure that every gig is paid—an ethos that sets Flames apart in an industry where young artists have no choice but to work for free. "Giving young talent meaningful experiences is what UD is all about," says McCormick.
Flames has built a solid reputation not just with RAYE but with a range of UK artists, collaborating with the likes of Jake Bugg, Grace Carter, RAY BLK, Debbie and Ruti. They also performed on the Island Records-released soundtrack for the BAFTA-winning film Rocks, covering Tina Turner's “Proud Mary”. Each member brings their unique talent, and Flames nurtures that individuality, whether they aim to be lead singers, backing vocalists, or songwriters.
As Gilbert explains, “Not everybody will be on the pitch, but they all get their moment.” Their recently released EP, FaceTime, is a testament to this collective creativity, unveiling raw, soul-baring lyrics and blending genres—from the soaring group harmonies of “Unfold” to the ska-inspired rhythm of “Just One Minute”.
For members like Ruby, 20, the experience has been transformative. She was initially nervous about performing at the BRITs, but now feels ready to tackle any stage. Promise, who joined Flames at 14, says that the peer support has been invaluable: “It’s amazing to be around people who believe in you.” For Victoria, 17, the group has provided a safe space for constructive growth: “The feedback has pushed my work to a new level,” she says. For Nayana, her Glastonbury debut was a turning point; she released her own EP and secured a spot on the Cross the Tracks festival lineup alongside Erykah Badu.
This year truly has been a year that blazed a trail for Flames (they also appear in Apple’s NEW Concert For One immersive video series with RAYE), and in addition to their ongoing performances with RAYE, the group will be coming together for their first headline show—A Gospel Christmas—which takes place at the Barbican on December 7. The concert is set to be full of seasoned classics and sing-along favourites, all performed with a sprinkle of undeniable soul—marking yet another milestone for the young artists. Ruti—with whom they’ve just dropped a choir-backed version of her track “Lungs”—will appear along with some very special unannounced guests too.
With their EP now available, an on-going brand collaboration with Pan-Asian foodies Chopstix, and songwriting camps led by Grammy-nominated songwriters, Flames are looking to put 2025 in a chokehold with regional expansion and the delivery of three satellite projects. As McCormick puts it, UD Music has created a “hub where young Black musicians can connect, collaborate, and create music in a supportive community.” The secret’s out—expect Flames Collective to heat up your winter, and beyond.