The Fray, Royal Albert Hall, October 20th
The Fray played the Royal Albert Hall on October 20th
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Wednesday, 28, Oct 2009 01:02
"I see you there, don't know where" - the instant the words from lesser known song Say When blasted out from the stage, the Fray captivated the audience.
Even on a cold Tuesday evening in October, thRoyal Albert Hall was trembling below the feet of 5,000 eager fans.
When lead singer Isaac Slade turned to the audience and said they were about to play a "little song they wrote a very long time ago", bewilderment settled. However as the gentle piano notes of How To Save A Life filled the great hall, all sang along. The song, given prominent airtime on US hit shows Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs, shot the Denver-based band to fame in 2005. The album of the same name became the best-selling digital album of all time two years later.
After the soft acoustic sound of their biggest hit, the sombre voice of Fray guitarist and co-vocalist Joe King took over. The pace finally picked up in the passionate performance of Trust Me.
Despite being at the back of a mammoth 34-gig tour of America, the group had shaken up their performance. Isaac, who usually hides behind his baby grand piano, was pulled to the front of the stage resulting in a more personal performance.
Over My Head (Cable Car) ended the set on a high with the entire audience standing up and clapping to the beat.
Under a dim glow, the Fray returned to the stage for an intimate encore. Isaac was joined up front by his bandmates for the cover of Kanye West's Heartless, before being accompanied by support act Sondre Lerche for a personal performance of Hundred, which he dedicated to his wife sitting in the audience.
And for the grand finale, it was full blast with the Beatles' classic, Obladi Oblada.
"La la, how the life goes on" after a great live show by the Fray at the Royal Albert Hall.
Daniel Andrews