They shared the opening bill with singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson. While lead singer Isaac Slade and Joe King are tremendous vocalists, their live show failed to impress much. One was left wanting more. They opened with “Heartbeat” and it was followed by “Closer To Me” and a lackluster cover of the hit 80s A-ha tune “Take On Me.”
They continued with “Give It Away” and their smash hit “You Found Me,” which resonated well with the audience. It was followed by such unfamiliar songs as “Hurricane,” “Syndicate,” “Never Say Never,” “All At Once” and a medley of “Wherever This Goes” coupled with an a cappella version of “Just a Closer Walk With Three,” which Joe King and Isaac Slade performed together and they nailed, yet it was a brief rendition.
The fan-favorite vocal of the evening was their signature song “How To Save A Life” and it was followed by yet another popular song “Over My Head (Cable Car).” They dedicated their closing song “Love Don’t Die” to a female fan in the audience who invited them to their wedding, yet they were unable to attend. The consolation was this dedication.
The Verdict
Overall, The Fray garnered 2.5 out of 5 stars for their live concert at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. While their vocals were fine, they lacked stage presence and charisma, and for an effective live event those are integral elements to engage fans in their entertainment. Even with Isaac Slade walking into the crowd and performing in front of the fans wasn’t enough to make up for The Fray’s lack of stage presence. Matt Nathanson’s opening set and Train’s headlining show were far superior musical acts.
