Last Tuesday, Conan Gray brought a sharp, shimmery glimpse of the 80s to John Cain Arena for Found Heaven On Tour’s premiere stop.
The tour’s focal album seemed perfectly suited for the stage: released in April, Found Heaven saw Conan Gray collaborating with megaproducers Max Martin and Greg Kurstin on fan-forward, bombastic bursts of pop inspired by new wave, glam rock and hair metal. With a larger-than-life production style and soaring choruses, the potential was high for Gray’s third release to shine in show form.
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Excitement was high on the night, and aesthetics were on point. Concertgoers donned shirts with song lyrics, rocking stark red and yellow on leather black to match the era’s vintage flair. The most dedicated fans had stars painted on their faces. A little Bowie, a little Stranger Things.
Opener Kat Edwards kicked things off, becoming friends with the audience fast. As frenzied as fans were to hear her cover of Chappell Roan’s Casual, she most truly held people’s attention during Childish, a slow burn about the regrettably relatable trauma tied to dating somebody 10 years older.
Edwards’ performance was introspective yet instantly connectable, bringing dulcet tones with smooth strumming and somber lyricism. “This is the biggest show I’ve ever played in my whole life,” the Melbourne-based singer revealed – visibly gratified by the willingness of Gray’s supporters to give her a genuine chance.
A lightning strike announced Gray’s arrival as he broke into Fainted Love on the podium. The look was immediate – it was as if an MTV music video had come to life onstage. He rocked all black, wearing a star-studded crop top under the neon lights and cycling from dance move to dance move. Work had been put in on choreo, and work was paying off.
Gray’s songs, already partial to the dramatic, were catapulted to new heights with an all-female live band accompanying: older numbers sounded fuller than ever, and newer ones realized their 80s synthpop potential. He powered through the latter first, highlights including the Duran Duran-esque Eye Of The Night and the slickly sly Killing Me.
There was a chaotic playfulness on stage. ‘Should we sing happy birthday?’ he asked before conducting a concert sized singalong for fan Tahlia. A plush koala ended up at his feet, and he showed it off, appraising its cuteness, before dropping a truth bomb: ‘Did you guys know that koalas carry chlamydia?’ His crowd talk rarely served to hype the music; it didn’t need to.
Ardent fans helped create uniquely special moments all throughout the show. People Watching was matched word-for-word by the fans, and the final chorus of Heather – Gray’s most popular track to date – became an acapella duet from singer and audience alike. Lyrics on loneliness and unrequited emotion picked up beautiful contrast within the room, now being sung and shared by thousands.
Conan Gray blazed through the set at a strong pace, but things did get serious for a softer moment. “Growing up I always felt like I would never have much to lose,” he reflected under a lone spotlight, black-striped guitar in hand. “I grew up a bit and started letting people into my life, and singing songs, and meeting you guys. I started to make friends and started to fall in love. And I thought to myself, ‘Holy shit, I’m so fucking afraid to die. My life is so good that I would never want to lose this ever.’ You have no idea how good life might get if you’re just strong enough to stick around.”
After acoustic number The Story, the energy ramped back up with a handful of newer cuts. Gray sang in rare falsetto for Boys & Girls – he hit his fair share of impressive notes overall. Even amongst the bombast and melodrama, he held a natural unseriousness that kept things lively, throwing out silly jokes in twee voices and pulling faces during particularly racy lines. After Memories, he left the stage with a cartoonish high kick and a lavishly enthusiastic ‘bye!’
An encore brought new surprises, including a disco ball and a new fit: a feathery black cape and shirt with the words ‘Burger Jesus’ on it (iconic). First came Found Heaven cut Bourgeoisieses, a tongue-in-cheek take on the rich not dissimilar to Soft Cell’s Tainted Love. He had the entire arena jumping during highly danceable hit Maniac, before ending the set at a grandiose high with Alley Rose.
As the echoes of the last song blended into the roar of the crowd, Conan Gray shouted his goodbyes with sweetness and gratitude in celebration of the moment.
And what a moment it was – Found Heaven On Tour’s first night was vulnerable, vibrant, warm, inclusive, and a ton of fun.
