Coming on stage to a massive ovation, was The Fray. Vocalist Isaac Slade took his place at the piano the rest of the band quickly found their places on stage. They began their set with a song called “Heaven Forbid”. After the song the crowd began to quiet down and Slade spoke to the crowd a little before going in to the song “Look After You”. While playing the song it seemed as if the entire theater was singing along with the band. There were a few other times during the set that fans were very responsive to songs and would sing aloud. But nothing compared to what I would hear later in the evening. During all of this I thought about how The Fray has just sky rocketed up the charts in such little time.

The band was started in 2002 when Vocalist Isaac Slade met Joe King who would later become The Frays Guitarist and backing vocalist. Within the year they put together the rest of the band, which also included Slade’s brother Caleb, but he didn’t remain in the band long due to tensions with the band. After getting a final line up together they sent out the first EP to Denver radio stations but got little response. It wasn’t until the single “Over My Head (Cable Car)” was released that The Fray were even noticed by local radio and clubs. After local success Epic Records signed The Fray and released their first album “How To Save A Life”.

Within a year of the release of the album The Fray became the breakout band of 2006. With “Over My Head (Cable Car)” being played on most radio stations around the country. If that wasn’t enough the popular TV show “Grey’s Anatomy” began using the title track of the album “How To Save A Life” as the music to the shows promo. So between the times of being unknown to being one of the biggest artist of the year as been somewhat overwhelming for the band. And while most critics have held The Fray in the shadow of Coldplay, Its being shown now that they are worthy of the recognition they are now getting.

To the end the set The Fray began playing the first drumbeats of the song “Over My head (Cable Car)”. And with that the crowd was ecstatic as most of the songs lyrics were sung by most in attendance. As they walked off the stage fans weren’t about to let them go quietly, with roars of applause and the stomping of feet. Slade walked back out to stage alone with an acoustic guitar and began playing when the crowd began to clam. He did an outstanding job as he performed what he said would be a new song on the next album.

To end the night the rest of The Fray came out and they played “How To Save A Life” the title track of their album, which has become their biggest selling single so far. With what all I had heard this night from the fans, singing along to most songs. I was truly impressed by the fans as the sung every word filling every corner of the Verizon with sound. As they walked off the stage for the final time of the evening I can honestly say I was entertain. Even thought The Fray isn’t something you will find on any of my play list. I can still appreciate and respect a band that has come from nothing to where they are now . . .

The Damnwells

Starting the night off at the Verizon Wireless Theater was The Damnwells, who I had never heard of and I will probably not be remembering either. They weren’t horrible or anything just one of those bands that is good but also very forgettable. Their music was a mix of light southern rock and country. And as much as they tried the crowd just wasn’t feeling their vibe.

About the only time during their set they got some attention was when Dave Welsh of The Fray came out to play guitar on one song. And then later in the set when The Frays vocalist Isaac Slade came out to join in on vocals and piano. Other than those times there wasn’t a lot of interest in what was happening on-stage in the early part of the night.