Under the shimmering stage lights at Austin’s ACL Live at The Moody Theater, the intimate 2,750‑seat venue beloved by locals and touring acts alike, The Fray delivered a heartfelt, nostalgic journey through two decades of their music, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of How to Save a Life.
The night began with a stunning performance from Cassandra Coleman, whose soulful voice and ethereal piano-driven songs captivated the early crowd. Following her, The Strike took the stage with a burst of energy, blending funk-infused pop and rock that perfectly set the tone for the main event. Their lively brass sections and infectious grooves had the crowd dancing and buzzing in anticipation of The Fray.
The main event kicked off promptly at 9:00 PM, after doors had opened around 6:00 PM. The band opened with fresh energy, easing into HTSAL’s opening track, “She Is,” before launching into fan favorites. Key tracks featured included “Over My Head (Cable Car)”, “Heartbeat”, “Hurricane,” and of course, their biggest hit “How To Save A Life”.
With Isaac Slade having left the band in 2022, Joe King now commands lead vocals full‑time, something fans are embracing. The band: King, Dave Welsh (guitar), and Ben Wysocki (drums), weaved cinematic piano‑rock textures that felt both uplifting and reflective.
The crowd went wild and sang along in unison on every chorus. Collective nostalgia for ‘How to Save a Life, rendered ‘spot-on’, emotionally raw, felt like communal healing under stage lights. When Joe King paused mid‑song to engage with fans during “Hurricane,” the response was pure adoration.
The lighting design leaned into warm ambers and soft blues, matching the introspective, melancholy‑tinged melodies. Video projections of early tour photos and lyric art occasionally flickered behind, underscoring the sense of journey. Sound engineering was precise: vocals were clear, drums were present, and the piano resonated without overpowering.
The Fray’s July 26 concert at ACL Live was a poignant tribute to their legacy. The band delivered a show rich with nostalgia, polished musicianship, and emotional honesty. For fans old and new, especially in Austin, this felt like more than a concert—it was a heartfelt celebration of 20 years of music that continues to connect. I think after this show, How To Save A Life has hopped back into my active music rotation. The Fray is one of those bands, even after all this time, sound exactly like they did when their album first dropped in 2005.
