The Fray, Kelly Clarkson and Carolina Liar @ CMAC, Canandaigua, New York 8-29-12

For the last show at Constellation Music and Arts Center for the 2012 concert season, the crowd was treated to quite the night of musical performances. Right from the top, the opening act opener, the fresh young Carolina Liar, did an amazing job of getting the crowd primed for Kelly Clarkson and The Fray, respectively. They played five songs, each being as musically exciting as the last. The crowd loved their original tunes, such as Never Let You Down, as well as radio hits like “Show Me What I’m Looking For”.

Surprisingly, Kelly Clarkson was the second act of the night – as we had expected her to be the headliner, but the bands switched at the last minute. She started the set off with and old favorite “Behind These Hazel Eyes”, and continued with songs from her first album until her latest hit (and crowd favorite) “Dark Side”, her new single. The song revved the crowd immediately, and the energy was palpable in the audience, especially as she jumped offstage (along with her back up singers) and continued to sing several songs up by the sound board and amidst the crowd. She then moved back to the stage for a video projection of Jason Aldean against a sheer curtain as they sang her duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay”, which was incredibly innovative and a unique touch to her performance. In addition to all of the Clarkson classics, such as “Breakaway” and “Miss Independent”, there were multiple covers. She sang “Tonight” by FUN, and “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey, both of which were unexpected but welcomed treats. The entire crowd was in love with Kelly, mesmerized by her array of music and her different styles that were brought forth throughout the night. Everything from her rock vibe in “Stronger” to her sweet and innocent beginnings in “Because of You”.

The final act of the evening, The Fray, truly took my breath away. They had such an energy paired with an old school look as they crooned in their tailored suits. They opened their set with “All at Once” and kept the crowd rocking with “Turn Me Up”. Then the songs began to take on a more mellow tone halfway through the set when vocalist Isaac Slade stepped back to the piano and let the lead guitarist, Joe King, have the microphone. King’s song “Ungodly Hour” was truly awe inspiring as the disco ball descended and bathed the faces in the crown in illuminating hues of orange and blue, bringing many to tears. The song was beautiful, and captured everyone’s attention until the final note. After King’s song, Slade took a moment to talk about the shootings in Aurora, Colorado, and then dedicated his next song “Happiness” to the victims. Slade sang this song in the middle of the crowd accompanied by his piano, just to be close to his fans. “Happiness” flowed directly into another somber song “Be Still”, which was also sung mid-venue and then amongst the lawn seats. After his tribute, the set picked up with “The Fighter” and he got everyone dancing on their feet around him. As the group brought the night to a close, sans encore, the group threw in a few covers, such as a mellow and easy feeling version of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry”, and rounded out the night with a crazy energy filled cover of Cheap Trick’s “Surrender”. The night ended on that high energy, with the crowd ever so satisfied and begging for more! A great way to close the summer concert season at CMAC!

The Fray

All At Once
Turn Me On
You Found Me
Syndicate
Never Say Never
Here We Are
Ungodly Hour
Happiness
Be Still
The Fighter
Look After You
No Woman, No Cry (Bob Marley cover acoustic)
How To Save a Life
Cable Car
Heartbeat
Surrender (Cheap Trick cover)

Kelly Clarkson

Behind these Hazel Eyes
My Life Would Suck Without You
Dark Side
I Forgive You
You Love Me
We Are Young (FUN cover)
Already Gone
Don’t You Wanna Stay (with video of Jason Aldean)
Always Be My Baby (Mariah Carey cover)
Breakaway
Since U Been Gone
Because of You
Mr. Know it All
Miss Independent
Stronger