Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Conan Gray got started like many aspiring pop stars, posting videos of his bedroom-crafted tunes online and rapidly amassing a massive following thanks to his gloriously gentle delivery and heart on sleeve lyrics.

The self-professed Taylor Swift disciple soon signed to the same label, Republic Records, for 2018’s EP “Sunset Season,” then gained her very blessing and shot even further into the stratosphere with 2020’s official debut, “Kid Krow.”

Though those latter tunes dropped right at the start of the pandemic, it only swelled demand for his instant Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom sell out, which is basically the case everywhere, including Radio City Music Hall and a coveted Coachella slot on the same day as Billie Eilish (another source of inspiration and longtime friend).

Only moments into his 80-minute set, it was apparent he’ll soon be at similar levels, as evidenced by the fact that every single person screamed literally every word to “Wish You Were Sober” and everything that came after, despite not technically landing in America’s Top 40 quite yet, though his debut has since been certified gold and accumulated billions of streams.

It turns out Gray was just as charismatic as he was relatable while making the way around “Telepath,” “Fight Or Flight,” “The Cut That Always Bleeds” and several others, swaying, swooning and seeming ready to rise up to the challenge of becoming a household name, but never at the expense of abandoning his sense of self.

In the meantime, fans were fiercely protective of their discovery, demonstrating extreme loyalty on even the newer non-album singles, including the glowing dance gem “Overdrive” and the contemplative alternative enigma “Jigsaw.”

The intense “People Watching,” about doing exactly that, seemed well beyond the scope of a relative newcomer, while “Maniac” pulsated with all the makings of a mega-star before the one that really started it all, “Heather,” garnered even more of the audience’s adoration over his budding greatness.

Click here for more photos of Conan Gray at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom.

For additional information on Conan Gray, visit ConanGray.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom include Liquid Stranger (Mar. 26); Summer Walker (Mar. 31-Apr. 1); Trinity Of Terror (Apr. 2); The Revivalists (Apr. 8); Alison Wonderland (Apr. 9); Olivia Rodrigo (Apr. 15-16); Ganja White Night & Buds (Apr. 22-23); Mastodon and Opeth (Apr. 28); Charli XCX (Apr. 29) and Kaleo (Apr. 30). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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