📍 ACL Live — July 26, 2025
Written by: Perrin Boyd
Downtown Austin was humming on Saturday night as The Fray brought their How to Save a Life: The 20th Anniversary Tour to ACL Live. Stepping onstage to a sold-out crowd, the Denver band immediately set the tone for a night that felt less like a victory lap and more like a genuine reunion between old friends. With Joe King now taking over lead vocals, there’s a new spark running through the band — one that still honors the heart and soul that’s kept fans close for nearly twenty years.
From the first notes, it was clear The Fray hadn’t strayed far from their roots. The piano-led arrangements, the steady pulse of the rhythm section, and those soaring, heart-tugging melodies were all there. The setlist balanced the big moments with the deep cuts — staples like “How to Save a Life” and “Over My Head (Cable Car)” sat alongside fan favorites such as “Little House” and “Vienna.” Even newer tracks like “Hurricane” and “Love Don’t Die” slid in seamlessly, proof the band is still adding chapters to its story.
The emotional peaks came in waves. “Look After You” and “Never Say Never” wrapped the room in a collective hush before giving way to swells of applause. When “How to Save a Life” arrived, the band barely needed to sing — King often stepped away from the mic entirely, letting the crowd’s voices fill the room. It wasn’t just nostalgia; it was a shared moment, like the song belonged to everyone there. Midway through, they slipped in a surprise — a cover of The Cranberries’ “Dreams” — and the crowd lit up, singing along to every word.
What stood out most wasn’t just how tight they sounded, but how unforced it all felt. There were smiles between bandmates, small glances of acknowledgment, and moments where the music seemed to take even them by surprise. The songs carried the same intimacy they’ve always had — the kind you can hear alone on headphones, but that somehow expands and deepens when shared with thousands of others.
Two decades on, The Fray still know how to make a room feel something. Saturday night wasn’t just a trip through the past; it was a reminder that their music still has a pulse — steady, strong, and very much alive in Austin.