By Sarah Amador

Fans filled the stadium, dressed in red, navy and white outfits detailed with stripes and sailor hats. The atmosphere was nothing short of ecstatic. Flashes went off from every angle as fans captured the endearing lyrics pasted on the walls. 

The Wishbone Tour, headlined by American singer-songwriter Conan Gray with support from English actress and singer Asha Banks, began with a snap at Inglewood, live from the Kia Forum. The Los Angeles date concluded the North American leg and opened up for the next 26 dates taking places across Europe and Oceania. But the night of March 20 was nothing short of unforgettable. 

The setlist consists of songs from Gray’s fourth studio album “Wishbone,” but features multiple songs from his previous albums as well including “Found Heaven,” “Superache,” and “Kid Krow.” With groundbreaking live vocals, melancholic lyrics and theatric components, fans were enthralled by Gray’s performance. 

“I love how Conan uses a variety of elements in his performance to bring his music to life; from the light matching the beat drops of his songs to coordinated outfits, it ties the concert together,” senior Jazmine Ponciano said. “The show emphasizes the emotional depth of his songs, which all address how multifaceted love can be.”

In addition to setlist, Gray includes two “surprise songs.” Each city gets a unique song not featured on the set, picked by Gray and a celebrity guest or fan. The night slows down, the lights turn warm and the arena goes still. The moment contrasts the explosive pop and the heartbreaking melodies. It is deeply personal and a tinge comforting. 

In honor of the anniversary of his first studio album, “Kid Krow,” Gray performed his first single from the album,  “Comfort Crowd.”

“Conan performing his older songs feels like a classic throwback; I love how it represents his whole music journey as a progression over time,” Ponciano said.

Following the beginning of Act III, fans settled as Gray prepared to play his unreleased song “The Best.” However, he dropped audiences’ jaws when he unexpectedly announced the deluxe edition of his newest album, set to be released on April 24. Although the tracklist has yet to be confirmed, with the exception of “The Best,” fans were nothing short of enthusiastic.

“I felt like there were a few last things I wanted to say, some pages left to turn,” Gray said in his Instagram announcement post. He emphasized that “These songs are not ‘songs that didn’t make the album’” …but “all new songs written after Wishbone, feelings I could only reach in the aftermath of the album’s release…because I was still very much in the middle of the storm that inspired it.”

The final surprise of the night came right after, as the wishbone ritual approached. 

The arena roared and cheered as a spotlight revealed American teen actress McKenna Grace, one of Gray’s close friends. The pair shared a sweet moment as they simultaneously broke a wishbone. With Grace winning the break, fans were overjoyed at her choice of “Yours,” an emotional yet compelling melody.

“I was excited that Conan performed “Yours” in L.A.,” Ponciano said. “The song has a longing tone throughout its lyrics that carries the feeling of unrequited love, which is why it’s one of my favorites from Superache.”

The lively night concluded after Gray’s encore, consisting of “Memories” and “Caramel”. As confetti covered the floor and the blue lights faded in the black, a bittersweet feeling filled fans still standing in their seats trying to savor the feeling and engrave the ending forever. 

Although the Wishbone World Tour has come to an end in North America, Gray still has another chapter waiting to begin in Europe and another era ahead as fans anticipate his deluxe album.