Gig Review: The Fray, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
The Fray celebrated two decades of How to Save a Life with a sold-out, multigenerational crowd at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The night felt less like a nostalgia trip and more like a full circle celebration of a band whose songwriting has quietly shaped an era. Opening the evening was rising singer St. Lundi, whose clean, expressive vocals set the pace early on. His set moved between heartfelt originals and a powerful cover of Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris”.
Once The Fray arrived on stage, their experience showed immediately. The band still play like indie rock musicians - tight, melodic, and fully engaged - but with the polish of artists who’ve been doing this for decades. “Look After You” was a clear standout. Joe King’s vocal delivery was feather light but controlled, stretching into those familiar emotional peaks without losing clarity. Live, the song still carries the same weight it did when it first landed in the mid-2000s, and the room responded accordingly.
“Over My Head (Cable Car)” sparked one of the biggest reactions of the night, framed by Joe’s anecdote about hearing their breakout song on the radio for the first time whilst in a car shop. It was a lovely nod to their early days and a reminder of how quickly everything changed for them. The crowd didn’t just sing along, they belted it like a collective memory.
The emotional high point came, of course, with “How to Save a Life”. It’s the kind of song that people attach to chapters of their lives or to their favourite Grey’s Anatomy scene, and you could feel that throughout the venue. Many fans were visibly crying, holding onto each other, mouthing every word like it hurt and healed at the same time. The track propelled them into global success and has since earned them a coveted place in Spotify’s Billions Club.
A brief “Hundred” interlude offered a moment of calm, letting the band’s instrumentation shine through with a delicate and clean piano solo. Later, Joe climbed into the pit for their 2025 release “My Heart’s a Crowded Room”, interacting gently with fans who remained respectful and clearly moved by the moment.
Overall, their performance was impressive; crystal-clear vocals, sharp guitar work, tight drumming, and piano work that grounded everything. The audience was a real mix: teenagers discovering the band anew, couples reliving early-2000s memories, parents with adult kids, and solo attendees - all wiping tears between verses. It created a warm, grateful atmosphere that carried through the entire set.
Twenty years in, The Fray still command a room with sincerity and craft. A genuinely emotional, rewarding night.
9/10.
Written by Melvin Boateng
Opinion
