Pop singer-songwriter Conan Gray’s fans took over the streets of Nashville as they waited in long lines to sing-scream their favorite songs.
Deep in the heart of Nashville, directly off Broadway, sits the tall brick walls and colorful windows of The Ryman Auditorium. Since its 1890’s beginning as the Tabernacle, its hallowed stage has seen more important figures you can fathom. Harry Houdini, Hellen Keller, Louis Armstrong, and the Tennesse queen herself, Dolly Parton, have all graced the stage here.
bülow opened the evening with German-Canadian Megan Bülow playing guitar and singing “Don’t Break Your Heart” with her name emblazoned in LED behind her. bülow’s music is alt-pop meets dismantle the patriarchy, with song themes detailing the silly societal standards for women and the woes of early 20-something relationships.
Her following song was a girl-power anthem full of dance music vibes that had her spinning in circles on stage. It didn’t take long to get fans on their feet and create a beautiful moment. Swaying cellphone lights illuminated the auditorium as she sang her cover of Frank Ocean’s “Lost”.
Really leaning into the intimate nature of the Ryman, Megan sat down with her guitar player to play unreleased tracks she penned in quarantine. “I Wanna Be Your Booty Call” is a future hit bound for her upcoming EP.
Middle fingers in the air, bülow gave one last “screw you” to the guys that have done her wrong. “You and Jennifer” is a classic cheater anthem that ended with a ripping guitar solo.
The team really built the intensity of the Kid Crow’s appearance with a reference to the star’s 2020 album -a black and white image of a crow in a cage on a seriously huge LED wall. Band members took their places and began playing. On top of the wall, suddenly illuminated was Conan Gray.The screams were deafening and the fans sang back every word as Conan opened with his hit “I Wish You Were Sober,” bemoaning confessions of love that would only come over drunken phone calls.Texas-based Gray has risen to the limelight quickly, supporting Panic! at the Disco on their 2019 tour. Conan announced a world tour in early 2020, and of course, had to cancel. In the meantime, he grew in popularity garnering attention via single releases and TikTok. This world tour is MUCH bigger than the one originally planned.
Making it down from the wall, Conan swept back and forth across the stage during “Telepath.” Obviously prepared for Nashville, his satin western shirt’s tassels were swinging and his long brown curls bounced as he ran back and forth giving it up to the crowd.
Taking it down a notch, Conan parts the LED wall to invite us into a set resembling his bedroom, where many of his songs began. Under a single spotlight, he (and the crowd) sang songs about the strife of navigating young love in “Astronomy,” “The Cut That Always Bleeds,” and “Checkmate.” “Overdrive” was energetic with bold, red checkerboard LED action and a very hype Conan Gray tells about the excitement of falling in love. Conan ascended the light wall again to perform “Affluenza” on top of a dollar bill emblazoned with the song’s name and his face.
Bearing his soul, alone on stage with a guitar, the icon sang about his own struggles he’s lived as well as being an LGBTQIA+ young person in “The Story.” The song ends with notes of hope and the lifegiving words “that’s not the end of the story….”
Rounding out the end of the show were his biggest hits “Maniac” and his encore “Heather.” They were screamed by everyone in the house and the joy beaming from Conan Gray when he took his final bows was inspiring.
Conan Gray is currently on his 2022 World Tour. Details and dates are available on his website.CONAN GRAY
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