The Fray make Marymoor mellow

Against a picturesque backdrop of clear skies, warm temperatures and a fading midsummer sunset, the Fray delivered a solid set of uplifting piano-based rock Friday night at Marymoor Park.

The Denver band's brand of melancholy songs and strong showmanship made for a mellow vibe in the spectacular natural surroundings. Hours before the show, fans set up beach chairs, spread blankets and munched on picnic lunches. The gathering, in natural amphitheater covered in grass and shaded by trees, felt like a backyard get-together.

The band, formed by vocalist/pianist Isaac Slade and guitarist/vocalist Joe King, is rounded out by guitarist Dave Welsh and drummer Ben Wysocki. For rock stars, the Fray seem unassuming — dressed as casually as their teenage and college-age fans. Much of the audience flocked to the front of the stage to catch glimpses of Slade, who commands center stage behind a shiny, black baby-grand piano.

Early in the set, the band focused on the somber piano ballads that make up their debut album "How To Save A Life." When Slade opened the title track (the band's biggest hit), singing, "Step one you say we need to talk ... ," the crowd reacted with pure joy, registered in ear-splitting shrieks and cellphone camera flashes.

With soaring vocals, chiming guitars and well-crafted songs, the Fray are most often compared to that other somber piano-rock band, Coldplay. But the Fray are more relaxed and self-deprecating. Near the end of the set, Slade dedicated "Dixie" to his hometown of Denver, which he joked "is a bit of a hick town ... a cow town."

Then the band switched gears for a spot-on cover of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie," complete with Spanish lyrics and goofy vocals from drummer Wysocki.

The Fray followed their 15-song set with a quick three-song encore, which included "Over My Head (Cable Car)." During that song more than 20 young fans got to go on stage to help out on tambourines. King, grinning, bounced around the stage snapping Polaroid pictures, which he tossed back at the adoring audience.

Jeff Albertson: 206-464-2304 or jalbertson@seattletimes.com.