“Packed my bags at 14, I hadn’t planned on leaving” was the lyric circulating through my mind as I processed the first night of Conan Gray’s “Found Heaven” tour. It was quite a night to remember, so let’s rewind: 

On Sept. 25, dedicated “Coneheads” (fans of Gray) were packed like sardines into the pit of Boston’s MGM Music Hall awaiting the start of his show, decked out in starry black and yellow outfits –– a nod to Gray’s latest 80s pop inspired album “Found Heaven.” Following an opening act from British pop star Maisie Peters –– a close friend of Gray’s who is currently on tour promoting her own album, “The Good Witch”–– a curtain dropped from above the stage, dressed with the iconic star symbol of the “Found Heaven” album. Conan Gray had arrived. 

As the opening lyrics of “Found Heaven”’s first song filled the music hall and played amongst flickering lights, the drums stopped for dramatic pauses in between each initial line: 

“No God above us … Can we repent this sin? … No soul is innocent … Everyone wants to love.”

Gray opened with his 80s-inspired banger “Fainted Love” and the crowd roared. He shined in silver leather pants and a vest with dark curls that perfected his iconic 80s popstar look. The crowd was illuminated by color-changing lights, screaming every lyric at the top of their lungs. After performing his more upbeat hits from “Found Heaven,” Gray took a moment to speak to the crowd.

 “Last time I came to Boston I asked if anyone went to Harvard and not one hand went up, it was crickets and I was like damn what does that say about me? So who here goes to Harvard? What about Boston University? Berklee School of Music?” Hundreds of hands went up in response to his funny remarks as we jumped for joy. 

Eventually, Gray turned the lights low for an acoustic song, titled “The Story,” and gave a heartfelt speech about the song:

“I wrote this song as a reminder to those who think you know how the future’s gonna go, I promise you you don’t,” he said.

Gray finished the concert on a strong note with “Bourgeoisieses” and “Alley Rose.” Every night for “Bourgeoisieses,” a satirical song about the rich, Gray wears a different tank tee with a silly phrase ranging from “boy who sneezes” to “the one song I can’t spell” –– a move similar to that of Olivia Rodrigo, pop star and long time friend of Conan Gray, who wears a different tank top during each “Get Him Back” performance. 

Gray’s performance of “Alley Rose” was an incredible and euphoric way to finish off the memorable night, with confetti falling from the sky when he hit a high note towards the end of the song. Gray’s discography is a smooth mixture of heartfelt trauma-healing songs and synth pop bangers that make you want to dance. The night went from pop perfection (“Wish You Were Sober”), to a tone of hopeless, heartbreaking romanticism (“People Watching” and “Heather”).

A Conan Gray concert is the perfect amount of healing and joy that a Wellesley student might need. My friends even joked that Conan Gray would be an icon at Wellesley, and yes –– I have to agree. 

Contact the editors responsible for this article: Anabelle Meyers, Ivy Buck