LIVE REVIEW: THE FRAY – SUMMER OF LIGHT TOUR @ THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ – AUGUST 19, 2026

The night began with Colony House opening the show at The Stone Pony Summer Stage. The Asbury Park event was sold out, and crowds loaded in to see the earlier bands. Colony House is an indie/alternative rock band from Franklin, Tennessee. They started the night with high energy, immediately giving life to both the crowd and the venue. Their upbeat presence helped to build excitement for the performances that followed, with fans quickly becoming engaged with the music. The live execution of “You Know It” had the crowd moving all around, enjoying the beat of the sound. The band gave it their all on this August night, resulting in their shirts being drenched with sweat by the end of their set. 

Following Colony House was Dashboard Confessional. This group is an emo, alternative rock band based out of Boca Raton, Florida, that has been together for over 20 years now, their first album released in 2000. It is extremely clear that they have played together for a long time, as they are all perfectly coordinated in their music. This band jammed on stage in a movement that flows well, which is something that has been built in their years playing in unison. The guitarist, in specific, was a bundle of energy, jumping around much of the time. This created a bouncy vibe throughout the entire venue. While transitioning songs, the band presented some brief descriptions of select songs, providing a better understanding and connection to the music. They would also make some comedic remarks that only enticed the audience over time. 

Dashboard Confessional started their set with the frontman, Chris Carrabba, playing their song “Best” in an acoustic setting. Throughout this, the band members would slowly join him on stage, adding their instruments to the melody. By the end of the number, the full band was out on stage, creating an immense, beautiful sound. Even though this band was considered an opener, the fans loved them dearly and knew them well. The crowd responded enthusiastically to these moments, creating a comfortable back-and-forth between the band and the audience.

Dashboard Confessional created a vibrant sound that was sharp and crisp. The vocals of the performance were very strong, with Carrabba hitting some impressive notes. They were all on the same page and perfectly synced. Some of the songs had faster, rock styles, while others held slower melodies. This can make transitions difficult for artists, but Dashboard Confessional had no problem making amazing changes to the next. 

Trevor Hogan, the band’s New Jersey native drummer, kept the beat of the kick drum steady and powerful in the beginning of “Stolen.” It was felt deeply throughout the venue. The percussion in-between songs and at the start of “Screaming Infidelities” was wildly remarkable. The audience clapped and sang along to familiar songs, showing that Dashboard Confessional had a strong following even among fans who had come primarily for the headliner.

The band closed their set with one of their most popular numbers, “Vindicated.” Their performance proved that even as an opening act, Dashboard Confessional could command the stage and leave a lasting impression on the audience.

The Fray left themselves a legendary legacy here in Asbury Park. Not only did they bring in a massive crowd for the sold out show, but they even drew in more people that settled outside the venue. The Stone Pony has a grass patch next to it and behind it, with the boardwalk a block away. All of this space was filled with fans who wanted to listen in and enjoy their music. There were people sitting atop their cars to obtain a better view of the band members, standing on the rooftop space at a local bar, and even fans watching from their balconies at a nearby hotel. Within the venue, the atmosphere was surreal. The front-row fans had an insane amount of energy, screaming along to songs that were streamed during the intermission. This was the lasting effect of the musical power from Colony House and Dashboard Confessional. When the live music began, there was never a dull moment, with high spirits pulsing through the diverse crowd. 

Based out of Denver, Colorado, The Fray is a five piece alternative/pop rock band known for emotion driven music. They started their headlining set with a distinctive mood. The members were merely beautiful silhouettes in the fog filled stage, the lights hitting them just right. The tour name being “Summer of Lights” hinted toward the idea of shouting themselves when it came to lighting. They installed hanging, angled fixtures in order to receive the effect they were going for. It was an element that was studied and highlighted every key moment. The lights were positioned in a manner that made the five members look magical. The lighting patterns and colors matched the feeling of each song, ultimately allowing the audience to deeper connect to the music on a visual level. 

The band began their set with the song “A Light That Waits” and felt unreal. The current lead singer, Joe King, has a very smooth voice that is able to hit every note with vigorous emotion. The band members’ voices complimented each other beautifully. The prominent sound of the piano was something unique to The Fray, and it created a rare mood that cannot be conveyed using other instruments. The bass and guitar both had striking solo moments that rang through the streets of Asbury Park. This performance felt particularly classy compared to other artists. Their clothing seemed to be more on the nicer and formal side, and Joe King drank water from a mason jar instead of a plastic bottle or cup. The cherry on top was the glass of red wine on top of the piano. This is something simple, yet iconic, and contributed a significant amount of enchantment.

Their melodies ignited dances from the audience members and sent them into a feeling only able to be obtained from The Fray’ live sound and presence. The crowd was focused on living in the moment and enjoying the rare intense energy of the band. The musicians were constantly jumping and dancing around on stage, the enthusiasm bouncing around from member to member. This lively performance only encouraged the crowd to sing along louder and feel the music deep in their bones. There was not one boring moment, even during the slower songs. There could not have been a better crowd to match this band’s electricity and passion; it bounced back and forth the whole of the set.  

The Fray blew away performance expectations for a band that doesn’t have hardcore, super intense music. It’s extremely impressive to be jumping around the stage for so long and still be able to sing everything so close to the studio recording. The live version creates a rawness to the music, and the performance itself just makes the experience a million times more intimate and enjoyable. Joe King had many crowd interactions and was sweet when talking to his fans. “You Found Me” held the most powerful moment of the show. When the first few notes registered in the fans’ minds, they were hit with a wave of happiness and emotion. Everyone at once came together and held the ones they love dear, creating a heartfelt choir that surrounded the blocks of the Summer Stage. 

Their cover of New Radicals’ “You Get What You Give” lit up the crowd. The coloring of the lights resembled a sunrise or sunset during this song, adding to the nostalgic feels of the 90s song. They altered the ending of the song, repeating the lyrics “don’t give up” to their audience. This was a simple change that held so much inspiration and influence behind it. The Fray’s own long time favorites, “How to Save a Life,” “Look After You,” and “Over My Head” sent the crowd into a roaring sing along. 

The Fray brought life to New Jersey in every way they could. The entire audience was clapping along to the beat of “Love Don’t Die,” and interacting in every way. The drums and piano in particular stood out and carried this song through its course. There was a skillful guitar solo within it as well, the full sound of it piercing through the air. When introducing the band members to the audience, Joe King used the phrase “heartbeat of the band” to describe Ben Wysocki, The Fray’s drummer. There is not any other statement that could describe his role better.

The main set and the encore were separated by beautiful sounds of string instruments. Following this came a song played acoustically, and then the well-known “How to Save a Life.” The performance was intimate and endearing, bringing a crowd of all ages together. The Fray closed the evening with The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends,” bringing out the members of the opening bands to help sing along. There is truly no better place to experience The Fray live than on a cool summer night at the Jersey Shore.

The Fray Photo Gallery

Dashboard Confessional Photo Gallery

Setlist

• A Light That Waits
• Hurricane
• Heartbeat
• Look After You
• Tasted Glory
• Little House
• Over My Head (Cable Car)
• You Get What You Give (New Radicals cover)
• Ice Cold Lakes
• Rainy Zurich
• Never Say Never
• Closer to Me
• She Is
• Love Don’t Die
• Wherever You Reach for Me
• My Heart’s a Crowded Room
• You Found Me
• Sea Level Drive
• How to Save a Life
• With A Little Help From My Friends

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Live photography by Bri Skylar for No Flash Needed. © 2026 No Flash Needed. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without written permission.