This past week, I took contributing writer Anlin Wei’s advice and went to see Conan Gray live in Cuyahoga Falls’ Blossom Music Center for “The Wishbone Pajama Show.” I have been a Conan Gray fan for a few years now but had yet to see him live. As such, when it was announced he would be starting his tour in Cleveland (and pointedly not my hometown—who skips New York?) I was over the moon. It is safe to say that Conan Gray’s new tour is a winner.

One of the best things about going to the opening night of a tour is that the setlist is a complete surprise. I have a bad habit of searching up setlists before arriving at a concert; while it can be nice to be prepared, staying present and truly immersed in the show is a welcome alternative. Be warned, though, most of the setlist will be disclosed in this article. The show was presented in four acts, with small interludes in between to form a story about want, love, loss and freedom.

Act I: “A wishbone never breaks even” opens the show with a bang. Gray dove straight in with more upbeat songs including “My World,” “Neverending Song,” “Bourgeoisieses” and “Wish You Were Sober.” Though the first three are not my favorite tracks from his discography, he does a good job of quickly getting the audience comfortable. Exemplified best in “My World,” Act I of the show is about the nature of life itself, making a place in the world (be it yours or someone else’s) and the frustration that may come with that. It is a bold start that works. In response to Act I comes Act II: “I got the short end of the stick.” If Act I is about being aware of the nature of the world, Act II is about recognising the unfairness of love and life, about being in touch with your feelings and freely wanting. With “People Watching,” “Eleven Eleven” and “Nauseous,” the audience is invited to truly feel with Gray. Sometimes life works out and you can rely on hope, but love can also leave you wanting. Act III: “I took the long way to realization” was a particular favorite of mine, as it starts the journey of healing. Continuing all the ugly emotions from Act II, Act III allows the singer to realize where that sadness and rage is coming from and direct it somewhere. May it be finally confessing in a healthy way in “This Song,” recognizing a toxic family dynamic in “Family Line” or expressing jealousy in “Heather (Lost Verse),” Act III sees Gray reflect, take love into his own hands and do something with it.

Act III built a lot of the show’s character. Despite the devastatingly emotional tone of his body of work, Gray makes the show a great time. He had a larger six-piece band—including a cellist—supporting him. With such powerful vocals, a full band gave him an almost orchestral quality that did not go unnoticed. From glittery sailor outfits to cute, bedroom-like sets, even the visual identity of the show is unique. The presence of acts suggest a narrative, and Gray delivers. To break up the set, Gray included a game with a surprise song. Gray and an audience member break a wishbone; if he gets the long end, he picks, if they get it, they do. According to the singer, this was the first time he got the long end of the wishbone. Like a gracious host, Gray let the audience member pick, choosing “Astronomy” over “Fight or Flight,” which are two of my favorite songs, so no complaints from me. The game (not the surprise song) was a nice lighthearted break before returning to the emotional experience that was the rest of the show.

Act IV: “I looked for love, and I found it” was a swift end. “Actor,” “Maniac” and “Vodka Cranberry,” follow each other and tell stories of a once great love that is now slipping away. Though short in length, the impact of these songs is great, and, as is typical with Gray’s work, I was left feeling sad but seen. Following Act IV was a two-song encore including “Memories” and “Caramel,” songs about never forgetting the aforementioned once-great love and having the good and bad stick with you. That is how I feel about this show. I will never forget this experience, the good, the bad and the ugly. Those qualities are, of course, the performance, the walk from the parking lot and my tears during my favorite song “Memories,” respectively. Though I remain confused as to why he skipped New York, “The Wishbone Pajama Show” was a worthwhile way to spend a Thursday night, and I can only hope to see Conan Gray in Cleveland once more.