The blanket of wildfire smoke filling the city couldn't keep away adoring fans from July 16th's The Fray (indoor!) concert in Milwaukee. Joined by rockstars Colony House and emo legends Dashboard Confessional, the night was a perfect blend of impressive nostalgia and new favorites.
Against a vivid red backdrop reading "Colony House" alongside the band's phone number, indie rock band Colony House opened the evening with a performance best described and brimming with confidence and coolness. The Nashville natives played some of their more well-known hits such as "You Know It," "Silhouettes," and "Cannonballers." Though everyone in the group put on a stunning performance, frontman Caleb Chapman had a remarkably honed stage presence about him. He truly was in his rockstar element that evening. Don't just take it from me, though, as I heard audience members chattering about Chapman and company's incredible energy between sets.
Colony House, opening for The Fray in Milwaukee, WI.
Dashboard Confessional filled the stage shortly after Colony House's set, bringing with them lively comic-art-style cutouts that immediately pulled the crowd into a 2000s state of mind. Playing anthemic hits like "Don't Wait," "Turpentine Chaser," and "Stolen" had the audience deep in their feelings, singing at the top of their lungs.
Frontman Chris Carrabba brought a lightness to the stage and finessed crowd engagement with ease. He engaged in perfectly charming banter with the crowd, selling merch and singing tunes. There were no misses on their impressive hour-long set list that culminated in scream-alongs to "Vindicated," "Screaming Infidelities," and "Hands Down." The crowd was beyond gleeful, jumping and dancing while screaming every word to their favorite songs. It was the kind of performance that almost made you forget there was a headline set afterwards — ALMOST.
Dashboard Confessional, opening for The Fray in Milwaukee, WI.
But we could never forget The Fray. The band that helped define a generation had the crowd positively brimming with anticipation. Frontman Joe King sauntered onto stage with the most animated energy in a black sequin button-down that beautifully reflected the tone for the rest of the evening: pure magic.
King, though not the original frontman of The Fray, brought a refreshingly bright rockstar attitude to the band's new and old music alike. I don't know what reserves he pulled from to keep his energy high throughout the band's impressive 19-song set, but the party never slowed as King danced on stage, in the crowd, and everywhere in-between. It was almost difficult to capture some moments with him on camera; he really moved like a rockstar.
The Fray perfectly blended acoustic and electric instruments that paid homage to some of their older songs' original sounds (think "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and "Never Say Never") while modernizing their sound to align closer with newer releases. The slightly updated versions held their own perfectly amongst songs from The Fray's 2026 "A Light That Waits." And the band certainly did not just play; they performed with intensity and joy that was infectious.
The Fray performing in Milwaukee, WI.
The night was a celebration of days long gone and the brighter days ahead. I am so grateful to have experienced the raw passion that Colony House, Dashboard Confessional, and The Fray bring to their music after so many years in the scene. If you want to reconnect with the very best of the 2000s and beyond, I highly recommend grabbing a ticket on their extensive North American and European tour throughout the end of November.
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