On July 25, 2026, the lights of the Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater dimmed, and smoke came billowing onto the stage. The Fray’s Jeremy McCoy, Dan Lavery, and fellow bandmates began to play the opening notes of their newest album’s titular song “A Light That Waits”. Soon after, lead vocalist Joe King emerged from the fog and began to sing. 

The band members were all dressed for the occasion, wearing monochromatic pants, polos, and vests. They were all in a mature black and white, aside from King’s pop of color through his bright blue Converse. The crowd consisted of people of all ages, filled with couples and families of parents and kids. No matter the age, the crowd’s excitement was palpable, with everyone singing along, raising and waving their hands. 

The stars felt the excitement too, as King wasted no time beginning to interact with fans. During the opening song, he came to center stage to high-five a younger fan at the barricade. These interactions continued during “Hurricanes” and “Tasted Glory” as King led the audience with clapping on beat and a Freddie Mercury-inspired call and response. 

The setlist featured songs from all their Eras. The highlights for me, however, were definitely their older songs such as “Over My Head (Cable Car)” and “You Found Me”. These songs hold countless memories of listening to The Fray’s records during car rides with my parents and siblings. Hearing these nostalgic songs live with my sister right beside me was truly an unforgettable moment. 

As the show progressed, the band displayed their versatility when they switched up the vibe to a heavier rock feel with their hit “Little House”. The instruments and players’ talents were underscored with heavy bass, drums, and a guitar solo from McCoy. Fans cheered on as the countless stage lights flashed on and off to the beat. 

King brought back the serene and romantic vibe with a gorgeous rendition of Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You”. Couples all around the audience swayed and sang along as the band was engulfed in purple-pink lighting. Soon after, though, the show came back in full force with the oldie “Love Don’t Die”. The lights turned red as King said he was “taking us to the back porch” and broke into the song. He introduced himself and bandmates along with silly anecdotes about each member before finishing the folk-inspired upbeat tune.

The true standout of the show was the entirety of “My Heart’s a Crowded Room”. The song began, and King had a look of pure joy as he ran off the stage and jumped over the barricade. He hugged and held fans’ hands as he scaled to the top of the amphitheater, all without missing a single beat. As he sang in the crowd, he made every single member of the audience feel like a valued part of the show.

After countless cheers and chants from the audience, The Fray came back out for an incredible encore. The crowd went wild (myself included) as they sang their most popular timeless hit, “How to Save a Life”. Last but not least, the show closed with a beautiful moment as all the members from both the opening acts, Colony House and Dashboard Confessional, joined The Fray on stage for a wholesome rendition of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends”. The chemistry and true friendship between everyone on the stage was infectious as people smiled and sang along.

The Fray’s show impressed me beyond my wildest dreams. Seeing them turn the soundtrack of my childhood into an inspiring moment of true artistry, cheer, and sentimentality was nothing short of magical. The Fray puts on an incredible show with countless special songs and moments that, if given the chance to attend, you cannot pass up. I would like to thank Live Nation and KCR College Radio for graciously giving us the opportunity to cover such a spectacular event!