Sophia Shull | Nov. 12, 2024
October started off with a bang as Conan Gray hit the stage on October 1st, 2024 at The Mann in Philadelphia, PA. Showcasing songs from Found Heaven, Superache, Kid Krow, and at the time, an emotional unreleased song, “Holidays”.
I hadn’t listened to Conan in ages, since 2020 to be exact, but I practically jumped at the opportunity to see the hero of my teenage dreams. Kid Krow, Conan’s debut album touched at my heartstrings with tear jerkers like “Heather”, “The Story”, and “The Cut That Always Bleeds.” “Maniac” was also a notable favorite, encouraging some awesome sing-alongs between my sister and I.
Prior to the concert, I’d never heard anything off Superache or the newest masterpiece of Found Heaven, save for the few lyrics heard in between a car full of women excited for the whimsical night ahead. Going in nearly blind, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Conan Gray did not disappoint!
Upon arrival, Maisie Peters was immediately a spectacular opener. Upbeat and cheery eyed, Peters was able to get the crowd hyped. She even won over the hearts of two middle-aged men that stood in front of us, prompting Macayla, an awesome WVUD exec member and friend, to explain Peters to her heart’s content.
If you’re a fan of emo girl-pop, Maisie Peters will be your best friend! Some notable songs she performed were “Lost The Breakup”, “Not Another Rockstar”, and “History Of Man.” Her powerful delivery and relatable songs conjure up what every teenage girl is feeling right now. Her crisp vocals and clean guitar made Peters an absolute powerhouse of an opener.
Once Peters’ wonderful set was over, the anticipation had begun. I hastily made my way to the front, beyond the barricade, to get some amazing glamor shots. With Conan Gray marking my first WVUD sanctioned experience as a concert photographer, it was overwhelming to say the least. Conan opened with a bang, bringing out the whole nine-yards of fog machines and strobe lights.
The first three songs performed were “Fainted Love”, “Never Ending Song”, and “Wish You Were Sober.” To be honest, it was difficult to comprehend the performance as I was focused on getting the perfect photo, but my eyes and ears were overwhelmed with the delightful sound of Conan’s voice for the first time in four years. It was unbelievably amazing.
Conan followed up with “People Watching”, getting the crowd to sing “I feel love, emotion” to back up his verses. What an amazing feeling it was to be a part of a performance. “The Cut That Always Bleeds” drew out a new type of emotion within me, and encouraged me to sing with my chest and release all my emotions. “Jigsaw” and “Family Line” were absolute bangers.
However, the real emotion began to hit when I saw “The Story” live. Perhaps my favorite song of the Kid Krow era, seeing only Conan on stage with his guitar and gut wrenching story to tell brought tears to my eyes. Never in a million years would I have dreamed of witnessing this masterpiece live, and now fifteen-year-old me can die happy.
An immediate follow-up of the unreleased “Holidays” stirred excitement within the crowd. Another acoustic song, similar to “The Story”, this nostalgic but hopeful tune makes me excited to see future songs. “Astronomy” was another punch to the gut, but one I hadn’t heard of until now. Even without the knowledge of lyrics or inspiration behind the song, Conan’s voice alone immediately had me bawling my eyes out.
A slew of songs from Conan’s latest album, Found Heaven, were up next. “Found Heaven”, “Boys & Girls”, “Lonely Dancers”, and “Winner” were a delight to my ears. An immediate throwback to songs of the 80’s, I had no choice but to enjoy each new song that blessed my ears. With each album released, you can clearly see Conan’s growth as he experiences life and all it has to offer.
“Heather” and “Memories” were the last songs of the night. An obvious classic, Conan did not disappoint when it came to delivering emotion with these ballads. His voice was an immediate soother, washing all of my troubles away with heavenly backing vocals and a powerful chorus. The last last songs of the night were an encore that consisted of “Bourgeoisieses”, “Maniac”, and “Alley Rose.” Despite the trillions of melancholic songs in Conan’s roster, the concert ended on a happy note. This encore’s trio of songs consisted of upbeat instrumentals that would produce a dance move from even the grumpiest of dads forced to attend by their teenage daughters.
Throughout the entire concert, Conan constantly interacts with the crowd, even having little inside jokes and references to past concerts. It really makes the fanbase feel like a family. Everyone gathers close to hold each other during the emotional songs, and scream our hearts out during the even more emotional songs. Normally I find myself more in the metal scene when it comes to concerts, and everyone agrees that they’re respectful and welcoming, but this felt like a real welcome. The whole duration of Conan’s performance felt like a warm hug from a loving family member.
I strongly recommend revisiting Conan Gray if you haven’t already. Or visit him if you’ve never cracked open his discography. There’s something for everyone. Doing so has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in 2024. Not to be dramatic, but this concert healed a part of me. Even if it was a small part, I feel happier now despite it all. Even if you don’t love Conan, get out there and visit your favorite artist or band. It might change your life.
