Conan Gray’s Wishbone Tour at Prudential Center: A Night of Heartbreak, Magic, and Pure Connection
- Miranda Wyman
- Mar 2
- 5 min read
The Wishbone Tour transformed Prudential Center into a haven for Sad Internet Teens and the stories that shaped them.
Article & Photography Contributed by Miranda Wyman
On February 27, Conan Gray brought the Wishbone Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark and from the moment the doors opened, it was clear this would not be just another pop concert.
Before the show even started, the “Conehead” community inside the arena was impossible to ignore. Fans gathered in front of the stage, posing for selfies in their themed outfits, many using digital cameras to capture the night in a nostalgic vibe. Others walked around trading friendship bracelets, small colorful tokens symbolizing connection and shared heartbreak. It did not feel like strangers filling seats in an arena. It felt like a reunion of people who had spent the last year screaming the same lyrics alone in their bedrooms and were now finally doing it together.
The stage itself was a visual centerpiece, designed in the shape of a wishbone to tie directly into the album’s theme. The general admission pit sat in the middle of the split stage, allowing Gray to move along both arms of the stage and get closer to fans throughout the night.
The setlist was divided into four theatrical acts:/
act i: a wishbone never breaks even
act ii: i got the short end of the stick
act iii: i took the long way to realization
act iv: i wished for love, and i found it
Each act felt like a chapter in a coming-of-age story filled with heartbreak, confusion, self discovery, and hope.
act i: a wishbone never breaks even
Conan appeared in his iconic navy blue sailor outfit, similar to the look from his newest album, Wishbone. His band, made up of two string players, a keyboardist, acoustic and electric guitarists, a drummer, and a bass player, matched him in coordinating sailor inspired outfits, making the stage feel cohesive and theatrical. It immediately tied the visual world of the album into the live show. He opened with “My World,” and within seconds the entire arena was on its feet. “Never Ending Song” followed, keeping the energy high, and after greeting the audience, he moved into “Care.” act i closed with “Wish You Were Sober,” with the arena singing so loudly it almost overpowered the speakers.
act ii: i got the short end of the stick
act ii began with Conan lying on a bed center stage, wearing a sparkly baby blue flannel over a tank top with his sailor hat still on. “Class Clown” opened up the act before transitioning into “People Watching,” where he jumped into the crowd, sending fans into chaos. He followed with “The Cut That Always Bleeds” from his 2020 album Kid Krow. The lights turned red while he stood in the middle of the stage. The crowd’s vocals turned the performance into a shared emotional release. Gray brought out his acoustic guitar for “Eleven Eleven”. “Nauseous” closed act ii and was easily one of the strongest vocal moments of the night. Standing center stage with just his mic stand, he let the crowd carry the performance.
Conan’s Campfire
Between act ii and act iii, Conan appeared at the end of one side of the wishbone stage next to a small campfire setup, introducing “Conan’s Campfire,” the acoustic surprise song of the night. Newark received “Footnote” from Superache, sparking excitement from inside the arena and major FOMO online from fans who were not there.
act iii: i took the long way to realization
act iii opened with a boat set, wearing an outfit that made him look like a real-life Prince Eric, complete with a swampy backdrop lined with cattails. He began with “Romeo,” which fit the aesthetic perfectly. He then performed the unreleased track “The Best,” and even though it hasn’t officially come out, the crowd sang every word like it was one of Gray’s number one hits. The connection between Conan and his audience was undeniable.
The fan-interactive wishbone moment followed, with “Lookalike” and “Astronomy” appearing on screen. After playful banter with Ethan, a fan dressed as the Grinch (which is an inside joke between Gray and his fans), Conan allowed him to choose the song after breaking the wishbone. Ethan selected “Lookalike,” and the arena erupted. Conan gifted him the wishbone as a souvenir for his one-of-a-kind night.
act iii continued with “Heather,” arguably one of his most well-known songs. Conan brought his guitar back out and performed it alongside the crowd. At this point in the night, it genuinely felt like the audience had taken control of the song. Their voices overpowered the arena. You could hear them louder than Conan at times. It was not just a sing-along. It was thousands of people reliving the same heartbreak at the same time. After “Heather,” Gray moved to the opposite end of the wishbone stage and performed “Family Line” from Superache. The soft ballad highlighted his more vulnerable side, detailing his childhood and complicated family relationships. The arena, once roaring, grew undeniably softer. Following “Family Line,” his bed returned to the stage. Conan laid back on it as he performed “Connell,” closing act III in a soft, reflective way.
act iv: i wished for love, and i found it
act iv consisted of three songs: “Actor,” “Maniac,” and “Vodka Cranberry.” For “Actor,” the background transformed into a countryside scene complete with tall wheat plants and a red barn in the distance, creating a cinematic ending to the emotional trip of the show. After “Actor,” Conan paused to introduce his all female band: Remy, Grace, Emily, Tiana, Eliza, Lily, and Hayley. They had been electric all night, dancing, singing, and feeding off one another’s energy in a way that felt genuine and joyful.
He then launched into “Maniac,” another fan favorite from Kid Krow. The entire arena was back on its feet, jumping in sync and screaming every word. “Vodka Cranberry” followed, seemingly closing out the night in celebratory fashion. Conan thanked the crowd briefly and ran off stage, but the cheering never stopped. Moments later, he returned for an encore, performing “Memories” from Superache and “Caramel” from Wishbone. The choice felt intentional. “Memories” brought back that aching nostalgia his fans know so well, and “Caramel” ended the night on a note that was both emotional and triumphant.
What a way to close out the night.
More than just a concert, the Wishbone Tour stop in Newark felt like stepping inside the heart of Sad Internet Teens everywhere. Theatrical, vulnerable, dramatic, and completely unforgettable. This was such a great show in so many ways, from the production and storytelling to the raw connection between Conan and his fans. It was a night that didn’t just entertain, it made you feel every lyric, every heartbreak, and every moment alongside thousands of people who have experienced the same emotions that Conan Gray has experienced in his life.
Comments