What happens when a band loses its lead singer? Can they continue to tour? More bands these days are saying yes. AC/DC famously pulled this off. 10,000 Maniacs, Stone Temple Pilots, and Sublime are doing it now. The Fray are giving it a go after Isaac Slade decided to leave the band in 2022 to pursue other interests. Their rhythm guitarist is now taking over lead vocals. This strongly changes the dynamic of the band instead of having the lead being the piano player.

They open with “Angeleno Moon” from their new album, The Fray is Back. It seems like a brand new band. The songs sound a lot different with a new voice and the piano a bit further back in the mix. It’s more like a background keyboard than a lead instrument.

They follow this up with “Over My Head (Cable Car)” from their debut 2005 album, “How to Save A Life”. Everyone sings along “And everyone knows I’m in / Over my head, over my head / Eight seconds left in overtime / She’s on your mind, she’s on your mind.” Again, this old song sounds a lot different with the new configuration.

They close the show with “How to Save A Life”, which many people remember as the unofficial theme song for Grey’s Anatomy. This is their most popular song on Spotify with over 1.2 billion streams. “Where did I go wrong? / I lost a friend / Somewhere along in the bitterness / And I would have stayed up with you all night / Had I known how to save a life”.

In conclusion, bands can continue without their former lead singer. Their results will vary, with most bands not reaching the same heights that they did before.

Cost of a ticket: $65

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Discounted

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

See the full setlist here. 

Quinn Delaney