Conan Gray at MGM Music Hall, September 26th

Concert reviews

Conan Gray, known for “Heather,” played most of his new ’80s-inspired album “Found Heaven” at MGM Music Hall in Fenway on Thursday.

Conan Gray – perhaps best known for the Internet-popular breakout hit “Heather” – switched from ’80s dance-pop to indie power ballads on his second night at MGM Music Hall in Fenway on Thursday.

Opener Maisie Peters opened the 7:30 p.m. show with exuberant energy, but her 30-minute set felt uneven. The bass was too heavy and her singing was over the top. However, their cover of Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” was a fun local shout-out.

Gray soon took the stage in a black and yellow ensemble with a lace-up corset and pants. His mullet motifs, five-pointed star motifs and 80s hit “Fainted Love” immediately captured the essence of his new album “Found Heaven.”

He showcased a strong tenor on “Never Ending Song,” also from the new album, before performing on “Wish You Were Sober,” one of the hits from his 2020 debut Kid Krow. Gray then continued into his new album with “Eye Of The Night” and “Killing Me,” with red, orange and yellow lights flooding his sweeping, bold synth aesthetic.

While “Found Heaven,” released in April, had fewer hits on the charts, the audience at MGM seemed to know every song. Gray also seemed to inspire loyalty, with his intimate forays and even his shoutouts to a fan he thought he saw at Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Even on his moodier songs from 2022’s “Superache,” there were no breaks. “The Exit” and “Jigsaw” stood out as stronger rock anthems. His vocals absolutely contributed to the performance in all areas, without skimping on the instrumentals.

While one of his five-piece bands played the guitar solo on “Jigsaw,” Gray took out his guitar for softer, more personal songs, “The Story,” which he said he played at every concert, and “Family Line,” about his parents and the abuse of his father.

“I say they’re just the ones who gave me life / But I’m really my parents’ child,” some lyrics say. “God, I have my father’s eyes / But my sister’s when I cry.”

Gray, who started out as a YouTuber focusing on his small-town life in Texas, released his first EP in 2013. But don’t let its humble internet origins fool you. His stage presence, singing and songwriting were professional.

He returned to Found Heaven for both the title track and “Lonely Dancers,” but the David Bowie and Cure-inspired synth hits didn’t last long.

“No more joy for the rest of the concert,” Gray joked.

He closed with “Winner” before getting the entire crowd jumping, swaying and screaming with the legendary hit “Heather.” Its finale, “Memories,” was a perfect closer – expansive, optimistic, but introspective and emotional. His encore didn’t disappoint either with the hit “Maniac” and his new power ballad “Alley Rose”.

Setlist for Conan Gray, MGM Music Hall in Fenway, September 26, 2024:

• Powerless love
• Neverending song
• I wish you were sober
• Eye of the Night
• kill me
• The exit
• people watching
• The cut that always bleeds
• puzzle
• Family line
• The story
• astronomy
• Found heaven
• boys and girls
• Lonely dancers
• winner
• Heather
• Memories
• Bourgeoisie
• Insane
• Alley Rose