On Sept. 26, fans assembled at MGM Music Hall at Fenway for the second night of Conan Gray’s “Found Heaven On Tour.” It had been over two years since the American singer-songwriter last toured in Boston, and fans were ecstatic to welcome him back.
“Found Heaven” is Gray’s third studio album. A complete contrast to his usual indie pop sound, the album leans heavily toward ‘80s synth-pop and ‘70s glam rock. With a production designed for dancing, the tour experience was guaranteed to be just as invigorating.
Outside the Boston music venue, fans lined the street, some dressed in leather with a splash of yellow or ‘80s inspired outfits to match the album’s aesthetic. Fans sported stars on their body, a tribute to the iconic star inside a teardrop that represents “Found Heaven.” Despite the rainy weather, nothing could quell the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Opener Maisie Peters took the stage at 7:30 p.m., charming the crowd with her catchy songs and sweet voice. Fans nodded their heads and swayed as she played songs from her recent album, “The Good Witch.”
The energy in the music hall soared as Peters covered “Holding Out for a Hero.” Yet it wasn’t the only surprise she planned. She later performed the chorus of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” the audience singing along to each word.
When Peters’ set ended, fans went wild as a black curtain displaying the teardrop with a star logo was put up, symbolizing that they would soon be “finding heaven.”
At 8:45 p.m., the wait ended and the introduction to “Found Heaven,” the titular track on the album, echoed in a chilling choir-like fashion.
When the curtain dropped, Conan Gray stood atop a tiered circular platform, sporting a leather black corset with yellow accents and matching pants. White cloth draped from the ceiling around the stage. Gray began his set with “Fainted Love” and “Never Ending Song,” showing off his dance moves and strong vocals.
After a spirited start, Gray welcomed fans to the show. He joked that, when he last played in Boston a few years ago, “it was crickets” when he asked the audience “who went to Harvard.” He then asked who went to Harvard University, Boston University and Berklee College of Music.
“Thank you for taking time out of your busy study schedules to spend the night with me,” Gray said before singing “Wish You Were Sober,” a song off his debut album “Kid Krow.”
The crowd exploded with excitement as the cloth draping from the ceiling dropped during “Eye of the Night,” revealing a large star-shaped light frame behind the platform.
Taking a break from his new album, Gray transitioned into singing ballads primarily from his second album “Superache,” excluding one. The audience lit up a sea of phone lights during “The Cut That Always Bleeds,” one of Gray’s most vulnerable songs from “Kid Krow.”
Emotions peaked as Gray performed “Jigsaw” and “Family Line,” the songs’ subjects of family trauma resonating deeply with the audience, who sang alongside Gray’s powerful vocals. It was a cathartic moment for fans to let their feelings out.
Gray sat down with his guitar as he talked about how his previously bleak outlook on life had changed. “I looked around at my life a few years ago,” he said, “and for the first time ever, I was like, ‘Holy f—ing s—, I’ve got a whole lot to lose.’”
Gray delivered an acoustic performance of “The Story” before moving center-stage to sing “Astronomy.” The mellow mood quickly transformed as Gray ascended the platform for “Found Heaven,” which extended to lift him. The crowd jumped along to the ‘80s vibes of “Boys & Girls” and “Lonely Dancers.”
Though Gray lightheartedly told the crowd afterward that there would be “no more joy for the rest of the concert,” fans were still overcome with it when he added the original, unreleased second verse to the end of “Heather.”
Gray introduced “Memories” as the last song of the night. “This is my very last song,” he said, “and I never lie.”
Fans knew that could not be true. Shortly after, Gray reappeared for the encore, donning a white tank top branded with “BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHJESUS” and a long glittery black cape for his performance of “Bourgeoisieses.” Colored strobe lights turned the music hall into a rave for Gray’s viral “Maniac.”
As the show drew to a close, Gray gave his well wishes to the students in the audience to pass their tests. “Make me one promise: The next time I come to Boston, don’t leave me hanging,” he told the crowd, referencing the final song of the night, “Alley Rose.”
Confetti rained down on the audience at the end of the last pre-chorus, the send-off after an incredible and unforgettable night of singing, dancing and bonding.
While “Found Heaven On Tour” may be over in Boston, the experience will “go on and on and on” as a “never ending song” for fans. If Gray’s words were any indication, he won’t be leaving Boston hanging again for future tours.
