Photos by Angelina Dyrnaes

In true pop-icon fashion, Conan Gray’s grand entrance onto the SOMA Mainstage on 10/22/22 was met with piercing screams and awe-struck faces. Adorned with platform high-heeled boots, a stunning bedazzled vest, lace gloves that were to die for, and a low-waisted, wide-leg pant moment, Gray took to the stage with confidence, grace, and ever-so-captivating energy. 

He kicked it off with “Disaster” from his second studio album Superache. A deviation from the rest of the album, Disaster features “[a] really fast [tempo]…, hard synths and drums, and this really quick dialogue” to encapsulate the feeling of “trying to decipher whether or not [someone likes] you”. The heart-racing, gut-wrenching energy of the song paired with Conan’s commanding stage presence set the tone for the show. 

The slow burn of Gray’s signature sound gives an edge to even the more melancholy tracks, such as “Astronomy”, “Footnote”, and “Movie”. Each of these songs starts as a ballad, with a gentle guitar strum accompanied by slower and more sustained vocals. As the songs build, different harmonies are layered to create an encapsulating sound.

It was truly inspiring to see Conan reach such success, as he dropped out of his dream school, UCLA, to pursue music full-time. I alongside his fans am excited to see what he achieves in the future.