Originally published July 30, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 31, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Concert review
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...
Special to The Seattle Times
Review
Marymoor Park, Redmond, Friday night (repeated Saturday)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.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 12:19 PM
Concert review: Indigo Girls take Seattle fans through rollicking, reflective set
UPDATE - 12:19 PM
Concert review: Perky Katy Perry finds sweet spot between rock and R&B
Concert review: Sarah McLachlan still has the goods at Ste. Michelle
Adele's '21' breaks record, passes 1 million digital downloads in U.S.
Campbell shines in 1st show since Alzheimer's news

general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Electronics
just listed
Adorable Bull Terrier puppies for good home...
AKC Great Dane Puppies Ready
AKC PAL/ILP Registered Labs
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- Washington men walloped by Oregon, 82-57
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
504 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
401 - Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
357 - AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule
355 - Oregon live game thread
155 - Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise'
113 - Rough road again
108 - A few late-night notes
96 - USA Today further spells out how Mariners, handful of clubs next in line for huge cash windfall
76 - Marijuana legalization initiative set to go on Nov. ballot
74
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review



