‘Incredible cause.’ Rock band The Fray takes the BJC stage at Penn State’s Thon 2025

Chart-topping rock band The Fray took the Bryce Jordan Center stage Friday night as the surprise performer at Penn State’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

The announcement of the national act is one of the most anticipated moments of Thon weekend. The national act remains under wraps each year until the minute they take the stage for an hourlong set.

The band started with a “We Are” chant and jumped quickly into their set list, including hits “Over My Head,” as Penn Staters sang along.

Joe King, the lead singer of The Fray, showed his appreciation for Happy Valley, telling the crowd he “loves being back here.”

“It’s an incredible, incredible cause — we are thankful to be here to participate in this incredible moment,” King said before starting to perform “Look After You.”

Not long after, the singer got off the stage and walked through the crowd of dancers. King interacted with them before playing “Syndicate” - a song from their second album.

Originally from Denver, Colorado, the band’s most recent release was in September, an EP called “The Fray is Back.”

The Fray’s concert was one of the highlights of the start of Thon, which features a multitude of other surprises throughout the weekend of dancing and commitment to enhancing the lives of children and families affected by childhood cancer.

Last year, the national act was pop band Walk The Moon. 

This story was originally published February 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM.