There has been a theme in recent memory of bands you thought would never play again taking up their instruments and doing massive tours. Bands like My Chemical Romance and The Jonas Brothers returning after years away to do massive tours. Well now we can add The Fray to that list. They spent 6 years not touring, then in 2024 they released a new EP, got a new singer (kind of — we will talk more about that later) and now they are on a world tour celebrating 20 years of their breakthrough smash album How To Save A Life and they brought that show to The Rooftop at Pier 17 on Tuesday night, August 5.
Landon Barker opened the show with a bang. As the son of Blink 182’s Travis Barker, he has established himself as a singer, rapper and social media influencer. He has definitely made a name for himself over the last few years, and he brought fun energy to the rooftop. His music is a very Gen-Z version of old school punk, showing his obvious musical influences while carving out his own path. Great energy to start the show.
Next up was was the fantastic synth-pop LA based band, The Strike. I really enjoyed seeing them play. I have heard some songs before, including a fantastic one with Mitchell Tenpenny, and they did not disappoint. I am a huge fan of this sort of, 80s inspired synth / nostalgic sound, and The Strike do it so well. Singer Chris Crabb moves around the stage easily, dancing and smiling, while also having incredible vocals. If I had to describe them in a word I would say they are just so much fun. It is hard to not move your hips and smile while seeing them play. Whenever I see bands like this it gives me some hope for the future of music. The Strike are poised to be hugely successful and I really hope that happens for them.
Shortly after leaving the stage all the lights dimmed and The Fray stepped out of the shadows. The stage was adorned with flowers all over the place and one single giant lightbulb. To say the audience erupted when they started with their first song, “She Is” would be a huge understatement. It was clear that the sold out crowd had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Singer Joe King was all smiles while his clear vocals soared all over the crowd. It felt like it was going to an incredible night and it delivered on that in droves.
I said before they have a new singer, sort of. Singer Isaac Slade left the band in 2022 but fortunately they didn’t have to look far for a replacement. Joe King was in the band already, in fact he co-founded it with Slade.He went from backing vocals and rhythm guitar to the spotlight. It felt like he had been there all along. His voice is very similar to what you are used to. I will say changing up the singer made the band feel a tad different, but not in a bad way. Slade was the piano player and their debut album especially had piano has the lead instrument, now it feels more guitar driven. The piano is still there, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a bit more in the background than it was initially.
The band, also made up of Dave Welsh on lead guitar, Ben Wysocki on drums, and other backing members, ripped through a 19 song set list that was pack with hits. It was also packed with memories. You cannot help but feel yourself transported when they played “Look After You” (joined in part by Landon Barker), “Heaven Forbid,” “You Found Me” and “Vienna.” But of course the one-two punch of “Over My Head (Cable Car)” and “How To Save a Life” was something else entirely. For those two songs I think everyone remembered being 20 years younger, riding around in whatever car you had, playing these songs on repeat with the windows down. I know I did.
After those two songs the band played a new one, “My Heart’s a Crowded Room” and it was fantastic. It is clear The Fray are not trying to ride out the rest of their career only on nostalgia. It sounds and it feels like they are making a statement. They’re saying they’re not done yet and their best years are not behind them. Good. I think the 3300+ people in the room would agree. They included a couple of covers- “Dreams” by The Cranberries and they ended the show with “I Saw The Light” by Hank Williams. The Strike joined them on stage for this one.
All in all, it was an incredible night and I feel really lucky to be in the room for it. Joe King is a fantastic frontman, full stop. Swagger and looks and vocal chops combined- I don’t think anyone in the room felt like he had not been doing this the whole time. I know the tour is going incredibly and a lot of the shows are completely sold out. But listen, if you are on the fence about this (and I was myself) don’t be. You are going to have such a good time at the show. Just buy the ticket and let yourself live in the past for a little bit.
GALLERY: The Fray with The Strike and Landon Barker at Pier 17 in New York City (August 5, 2025)
