Meet Raine Stern: The Voice Alum & Activist Artist Bringing Soulful Sounds to Whiskey Fest DSM 2025

Joshua Barnachea
Sep 26, 2025
3 min read

Get ready for a performance that’s as powerful as it is poetic! Raine Stern, the multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Madison, Wisconsin, is set to grace the stage at Whiskey Fest DSM 2025. Known for her mature guitar playing, compelling vocals, and deeply meaningful lyrics, Raine brings a unique blend of artistry and activism that promises to captivate festival-goers.

Who Is Raine Stern? A Bio of a Rising Star with a Message

Raine Stern is a 22-23-year-old artist whose journey in music began remarkably early. Discovering songwriting around age 11, she quickly found her voice through guitar and lyrics, using them as powerful tools to tell stories and channel her deepest convictions.

Raine’s work is distinguished by several key qualities:

Poetic Lyricism: Her songs are rich with thoughtful, evocative language that resonates deeply with listeners.
Mature Guitar Playing: Despite her young age, Raine exhibits a level of skill and nuance on the guitar that belies her years.
Powerful Vocal Delivery: Her voice commands attention, conveying emotion and strength with every note.

These qualities have set her apart in the music industry from a young age, earning her significant recognition.

From The Voice to National Acclaim

Raine Stern’s talent has not gone unnoticed on national platforms:

The Voice Season 20 (Team Nick): She was a contestant on Season 20 of NBC’s hit show The Voice, where she joined Team Nick Jonas, showcasing her incredible vocal range and stage presence to a national audience. Her blind audition, a standout four-chair turn with MGMT’s “Electric Feel,” was described as “electric” and earned high praise from all coaches. Nick Jonas became a strong advocate for her artistry, and John Legend called her loss to Team Nick one of his “biggest heartbreaks” of the season .
NPR & PBS Recognition: Beyond reality television, Raine has gained critical acclaim through features on NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest and PBS’s 30 Minute Music Hour, highlighting her serious musical chops and thoughtful approach to her craft .
Major Live Performances: Her impressive performance resume includes renowned events like Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, where her set was described as “impressive” and noted for her “youthful exuberance” and “ability and confidence beyond her years” .

Artistry Meets Activism: Music with a Mission

What truly sets Raine Stern apart is her commitment to weaving activism into her artistry. Her music and stage presence are infused with powerful themes such as:

Environmentalism: Raine is a vocal advocate for climate action and environmental sustainability, having performed at international events and donated proceeds to causes like the Clean Lakes Alliance. She has even addressed renewable energy efforts at global conferences .
Equality & Social Justice: As an openly queer artist, Raine champions LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality, using her platform to provide audiences with actionable tools and resources for social change .
Authenticity: She encourages self-expression and genuine connection, critiquing celebrity culture’s “vanity and vapidness” and urging others to use their influence for good .

Raine’s concerts are more than entertainment—they are platforms for activism, designed to inspire, educate, and empower her audience to take meaningful action .

A Distinctive Musical Style

Raine Stern’s music is a genre-blending experience, rooted in blues, funk, pop, and soul. Her signature sound features:

Guitar Mastery: Self-taught and technically advanced, Raine’s guitar work is a highlight of her live shows and recordings .
Vocal Versatility: She moves effortlessly from a low, knowing rasp to a high, sweet playfulness, often within the same song .
Complex Arrangements: With her nine-piece band, Raine delivers dynamic arrangements, including horn sections and backup singers, creating a rich, soulful sound .
Soulful and Accessible: Her music remains bluesy, groovy, and accessible, with a pop sensibility that appeals to a wide audience .

Notable Performances & Career Highlights

Summerfest (Milwaukee): A career milestone, drawing praise for her stage presence and musical prowess .
PBS’s 30 Minute Music Hour: Featured as a rising star in the Midwest .
NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest: Spotlighted as one of the best emerging talents in the country .
Collaborations: Performed with legends like Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown’s drummer) and played in a Prince tribute band, further demonstrating her versatility .