Pop singer-songwriter Conan Gray took the stage at Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 24, where he performed some of his early hits and songs from his new album “Wishbone.” From his entrance onto the stage to his encore, Gray’s energy and interaction with his audience stood out as fans sang loudly along to his lyrics and provided similar energy in return.
Conan Gray started his career as a content creator on YouTube and eventually began attending classes at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2017. Upon signing a record contract, he dropped out and began recording his first EP “Sunset Season.” Gray is most widely known for his highly acclaimed and popular hits, such as “Heather,” “Maniac” and “People Watching.” His new album “Wishbone,” his fourth, has received similar acclaim and virality.
Before Gray’s performance, the show’s opener, hemlocke springs, sang songs from her debut album – “going… going… GONE!” – as well as unreleased music. springs performed many of her viral pop songs, which incorporate rock and baroque musical elements, as she danced on stage with her drummer and interacted with the audience.
After hemlocke springs walked off stage, the amphitheater’s speakers began playing songs by Olivia Rodrigo, one of Gray’s closest friends in the music business. As Rodrigo’s song “bad idea, right?” was playing, one line signaled the beginning of Gray’s set: “Now I’m gettin’ in the car, wreckin’ all my plans / I know I should stop.” As the line came to an abrupt end, the venue’s lights joined and immediately turned off.
Moments later, the lights came back up, and Gray biked on stage in an outfit similar to the one seen on his album cover for “Wishbone.” Gray began singing his song “My World” to signal the start of the first of four acts, “a wishbone never breaks even,” that occur throughout the show. After, Gray began to thank the crowd for showing up, despite the incoming weather and moving his performance up to 8:15 p.m.
“Thank you for waiting through this terrible weather for me,” Gray said. “I really appreciate it.”
One of the traditions observed by Gray and his friends during this tour is performing a surprise song chosen by a fan. In the middle of the third act, “i took the long way to realization,” Gray asked the crowd a question.
“Now, I’ve got a question for you,” Gray said. “Who here tonight wants to help me pick the next song?”
The crowd erupted in cheers of excitement and hand raises, desperate for Gray to pick them. Gray ended up choosing a fan named Gray, who he referred to multiple times as “twin.” In order for the fan to have the chance to choose the song, they would have to break a wishbone and get the longer end of the stick. If not, Conan Gray would get to choose.
In the end, Conan Gray received the longer end of the stick, but he let the fan choose the song anyway. The fan chose “Care,” the last track on “Wishbone.” Conan Gray then began performing the song, with his band carrying out a full production in back of him.
As the show came to an end, Gray performed “Vodka Cranberry” and then walked off stage as the lights went down. For about a minute, audience members cheered and chanted Conan’s name until the singer returned to the stage to perform an encore consisting of two songs: “Memories” and “Caramel.”
Overall, Conan Gray’s performance at Ascend Amphitheater proved the singer’s appreciation for the music he makes and the listeners who spend time with his music. Gray’s attention to detail, from his stage presence to the multiple costume changes, and more importantly, his focus on consistently interacting with his audience, is what truly stood out. It is at shows like these where one can understand the power that music holds and the support it provides in people’s everyday lives.
