The Fray
Piano-led mid-2000s radio balladry that soundtracked more television drama than most composers manage, with 'How to Save a Life' forever mid-montage.
Where to see The Fray
- LOOKOUT 2027Tickets
About The Fray
The Fray is a piano rock band from Denver, CO, formed in 2002.
Isaac Slade and Joe King grew up a few years apart at Faith Christian Academy in Denver and both played in church worship bands before reconnecting in 2002 to start writing songs together. Early lineups included Slade's brother Caleb on bass; his departure and the strain it put on the brothers' relationship later inspired the song "Over My Head."
The band settled with Slade on piano and lead vocals, King on guitar, Ben Wysocki on drums and Dave Welsh on guitar. Their sound centres on piano rather than guitar, with midtempo arrangements and vocal melodies pitched for scale, a combination that placed them among the more widely heard American rock bands of the mid-2000s.
Their debut album, How to Save a Life, was released by Epic Records in 2005 and went quadruple platinum in the US. "Over My Head (Cable Car)" reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, and the title track climbed to number three and became a hit in several other countries; both singles received Grammy nominations. The songs were licensed heavily to television.
The band's self-titled second album topped the Billboard 200 in 2009 and was certified platinum. Its lead single, "You Found Me," reached the top ten and the album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, cementing the Fray's run as one of Billboard's Artists of the Decade.
Scars & Stories (2012) and Helios (2014) met more mixed reviews and smaller sales, and a 2016 greatest-hits set closed out the band's run with Epic. Isaac Slade left the Fray in 2022, and the remaining members carried on as a trio, releasing the EP The Fray Is Back in 2024.
Piano rockPop-rock
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Questions about The Fray
What festivals is The Fray playing in 2026 and 2027?
The Fray is booked at 2 festivals we cover: Neon City 2026, Stagecoach 2027.
Is The Fray on tour?
Yes. The Fray has 8 shows listed, from Dublin, Ireland on Nov 12, 2026 to Towradgi, Australia on Feb 10, 2027, plus 2 festivals on the page above.
When does The Fray play at Neon City?
Saturday, November 21, 8:45 – 10:00 PM at 3rd St..
Is The Fray playing Stagecoach 2027?
Yes, The Fray is on the Stagecoach 2027 lineup, April 23–25, 2027 at Empire Polo Club, Indio, CA. They play Saturday, April 24.
Where is The Fray from?
The Fray is from Denver, CO.
Who is in The Fray?
The Fray is Joe King, Isaac Slade, Dave Welsh and Ben Wysocki.
When did The Fray form?
The Fray formed in Denver in 2002.
What was The Fray's first album?
The Fray's first album was How to Save a Life (2005). The latest is A Light That Waits (2026).
What kind of music does The Fray play?
The Fray plays piano rock and pop-rock.
What festivals has The Fray played before?
The Fray has played Bourbon & Beyond 2026.