Hans Zimmer has shared his love for RAYE after surprising her on stage in Los Angeles, writing: “To say I adore her is a complete understatement”.
- READ MORE: RAYE – ‘This Music May Contain Hope’ review: showstopping musical maximalism at its grandest
The legendary composer caught the South London singer off-guard earlier this week when he joined her at the second of her two shows in Los Angeles.
RAYE was performing at the Greek Theatre on Wednesday night (May 13), when she started to introduce her song ‘Click Clack Symphony’. That track featured on her latest record ‘This Music May Contain Hope’ and was composed by the iconic German film composer.
As she spoke to the crowd, she looked to the side of the stage and exclaimed “You’re flipping joking” as she unexpectedly saw Zimmer walk out for a surprise performance. She then ran over and gave him a hug, before joking to the audience: “I just nearly broke his back… Ladies and gentlemen, please make some noise for Hans Zimmer.”
“Flipping shut up. They surprised me!” she added before launching into the song. “Do you realise what you’re witnessing here? Do you realise who is on stage? Ladies and gentlemen of LA, please give it up one more time for Hans Zimmer.”
After the gig, Zimmer took to Instagram to look back at the moment, commenting on RAYE’s post and revealing that she was completely unaware that he was in attendance.
“We did it! We completely surprised RAYE,” he wrote. “She asked everybody if I was going to come see the show. (Even her dad was in on it and told her I wasn’t around.) It was a major surprise!”
He then went on to share his love for the artist, writing: “RAYE is one of the truly great original artists, a brilliant writer, an astonishing singer – and knows how to tackle quite serious subjects with a London Wit.
“We have been friends for a looong time… to say I adore her is a complete understatement!”
Hans Zimmer commented on Raye’s latest post on Instagram:
“We did it! We completely surprised RAYE! She asked everybody if I was going to come see the show. (Even her dad was in on it and told her I wasn’t around.) It was a major surprise!
RAYE is one of the truly great… pic.twitter.com/HmzvkZ548n
— RAYE Updates (@RayeUpdate) May 15, 2026
Following her recent shows in the US, RAYE is now set to head back across the pond for two shows at London’s O2, taking place on May 19 and 20. She will then embark on more North American performances later this year when she supports Bruno Mars on his ‘Romantic Tour’.
Her latest album – the follow up to 2023 debut ‘My 21st Century Blues’ – was released on March 27.
In a five-star review, NME wrote: “‘This Music May Contain Hope’ is RAYE firing on all cylinders – and then some. It’s showstopping musical maximalism at its grandest, while still being grounded in relatable experiences and unbridled emotions. Again, it’s admittedly a lot to take in – but that’s also why it’s so glorious, every theatrical flourish and stylistic detour a declaration from RAYE that she is finally making music for herself.”
RAYE will also play a number of festival dates this year, including a headline slot at the 60th anniversary edition of Montreux Jazz Festival alongside Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PinkPantheress and Lewis Capaldi, and a headline slot at Reading & Leeds.
She is also set to make her acting debut in Lineage, a new film by Top Boy director Yann Demange.
As for Hans Zimmer, the composer and his company Bleeding Fingers Music have been confirmed as composing the score for the new Harry Potter series, and the artist also voiced his criticism towards the Golden Globes for not airing the Original Score category at the 2026 ceremony – explaining that films wouldn’t be the same without composers.