The Fray

This Denver quartet performs straight-ahead pop, heavy on the sing-alongs, with plenty of sweeping guitar riffs and intense piano ballads. Its debut, How to Save a Life, went platinum and led to opening gigs for big names like Ben Folds and the Rolling Stones. The Fray has since graduated to headliner status.

Lead singer Isaac Slade boasts a grainy voice and an endearing way of bantering with audience members while he fingers his piano. He also tends to get plenty of help from the crowd on hit singles such as "Over My Head" and "How to Save a Life." — Todd McFliker