Article and Photos by: Nick Durcholz

Indianapolis – There are scarcely few millennial hearts out there that haven’t been engorged or deflated by one of these two troupes.

My dear heart is no different. The Fray’s debut album is a time travel album for me. Taking me back instantly to a very specific time in my life that was packed with numerous, intense emotions and experiences. The sultry July day brought all of those people and times flooding back, but in a pleasant way. It is truly incredible how much I have learned and grown from the person I was then, and it seems pretty clear that these two bands were built on those particular kinds of moments that shape one’s life.

Dashboard was exactly as expected, and I don’t think I could have asked for more. Charged, angsty, and perfect compliment to my parents not understanding me back then, and bleeding purple heart badge of courage now. All the hits were represented. “Vindicated” & “Screaming Infidelities” were as pointed and placating as I remember. Say what you will, but I think the emo genre holds up even today and the Confessional repped it well. Dude looks like he’s barely aged! Good for him, and the rest of the band matched his coolness and amplified it. Super familiar and incredibly fun.

Admittedly, the idea I have of the Fray is quite dated. That said, I am very much a fan of bands and musicians and artists evolving over their careers. It shows their humanity and the nature progression of art. Some do this better than others. Four songs in and it was crystal clear that the Fray has done it seamlessly. The visuals were incredible throughout, and this did not sacrifice the poignancy of the music. They played a perfect balance of newer songs and the classic tracks that seared their words and sounds into my being. “Look After You” was soul-stealing and dedicated to a fan for their first show. There was even a surprise cover of “Fade Into You,” which was masterfully done and unforgettable as I got to slow dance to it with someone who is very special to me. Early Fray isn’t known for being joyful, but at the end of the show, as they brought a ton of people onstage to perform “With a Little Help from my Friends,” I realized they had given me hope. Something this jaded heart hasn’t felt much lately.

​Music lovers, artists and bands of the future, take note and see this tour, because it is an infallible, aural portrait of millennial love. The quintessential modern love song motif!