IN PICTURES: The Fray serenades PH fans in an unforgettable night
American band The Fray performs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum (Carissa Alcantara)
Celebrating two decades since the release of their album "How To Save A Life, American band The Fray surely gave their Filipino fans a show to remember.
Held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Dec. 12, the concert was presented by Midas Promotions. Before heading to the main stage, OPM band December Avenue hyped up the fans by singing their hit songs, "Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-Ibig," "Saksi Ang Langit," and "Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan."
Performing together for the first time in 2012, The Fray could not hide their excitement as they returned to the Manila stage, making the Philippines the final stop of their tour this year.
As the opening strains of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” drifted through the dimming lights, the crowd erupted into its loudest cheers as the band’s original vocalist and primary songwriter, Joe King, stepped onto center stage alongside longtime guitarist Dave Welsh and drummer Ben Wysocki.
OPM rock band December Avenue hypes up the fans at The Fray concert
The crowd went wild when Joe opened the show with his song "She Is." It was a perfect night for Titos and Titas as they sang along with every lyric of the song.
It was then followed by "All At Once," "Look After You," and "Fall Away." Before heading to another song, Joe mentioned how grateful he is to be back and performing their songs.
"This year has been beyond, and it's been a dream to play this song, and we are excited to play our first album for all of you tonight, so please sing along with us," Joe said.
Formed in Colorado in the early 2000s, The Fray captured hearts with emotionally charged alternative rock marked by sincerity, rich melodies, and soul-stirring depth.
Bringing back nostalgic feels, the band performed fan favorites such as "Little House," "Dead Wrong," "Heaven Forbid," and "Vienna."
At one point during the concert, Joe dedicated the song "Over My Head" to a fan who was vibing to their songs.
" I would like to dedicate this song because I can relate in many ways. There's been an incredible human being back here, vibing and dancing to our music. And you can stand up, and you've been just free and expressing your emotions. And you can sing it however you want to sing it, because that's what music does. We're all connected tonight. And we are grateful to be back in the Philippines to sing this song 20 years later. This song is called Over My Head."
PH fans sang along with the band with their greatest hits
Showing no signs of slowing down, Joe and his band made the night even more exciting as they performed their hit song, "How To Save A Life," singing the lyrics.
"Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness, and I would have stayed up with you all night, had I known how to save a life?"
After delivering the ultimate banger, the band kept the energy high with a run of fan favorites, including "My Heart’s a Crowded Room," "Hurricane," and "Heartbeat."
Joe once again thanked all the fans who came out to the concert and reminded them how music became a tool for them to achieve what they have now over the past years.
"It's truly beautiful to be back in the Philippines playing these songs and playing with you guys tonight. It's hard to process this year; we've been all over the world. We've been to 16 different countries, we've played about 85 shows, and more shows than we've played in 15 years.
"Music is connecting, and it brings you into who you are and brings you to where you were. It reminds you of your story and reminds you that you're not alone. It reminds you that we're all connected and we're all in this together.
"And it's been a dream to be a part of your story and your story a part of us. So thank you for sharing this evening with us and this night with us. We'll never forget it. When one thing ends, another begins. This tour is the last night of this tour for us.Thank you for having us, Philippines," Joe said.
The night ended with the songs "Love Don't Die," their new single, "Songs I'd Rather Not Sing," and another fan favorite, "Never Say Never." It was a memorable moment for the band as they took a final bow while the fans chanted to the lyrics, "Don't Let Me Go."