On a cold February evening in Austin, Texas, British singer-songwriter David Gray drew a crowd at the ACL Live Moody Theater to soak up the well-attended performance encompassing over two decades of music that has been described as “folktronica.” 

As one of Gray’s greatest hits,  “Babylon” (1999) tells the story of a love that is lost and found again. The multigenerational audience rediscovered Gray’s most beloved ballads while falling for his newest featured work. 

Opening for Gray, Sierra Spirit poured her heart and soul into a powerful performance to set the stage for the night. Spirit’s first tour has been nothing short of incredible. Spirit shared songs from her debut album, “Coin Toss.” As a proud Otoe-Missouria and Keetoowah Cherokee artist, her music is deeply personal, weaving together stories of love, identity, and mental health. One of the most emotional moments of her set comes when she performs “I’ll Be Waiting (Pug)”, a heartfelt tribute to her late grandmother that left the audience visibly moved.

After Sierra’s moving set, the crowd electrified while awaiting the main act, David Gray. When the headliner finally took to the stage, the venue’s energy soared. Gray kicked off the night with “After the Harvest”, a track from his latest album, “Dear Life.” The Past and Present tour is all about blending nostalgia with fresh material, and Gray delivered just that. 

Fans were treated to a mix of beloved classics and exciting new songs, making each show feel like a unique experience. Adding to the excitement, Gray has been switching up his setlist for every performance, keeping things fresh both for himself and the audience. As Gray shared on Instagram, “The show is high energy… and I feel energized,” and that energy proved palpable throughout the night.

The North American leg of the tour will wrap up in Atlanta before Gray and his team head to Europe for the rest of the year. If you haven’t already, tune into Spotify to hear Sierra Spirit’s “Coin Toss” and David Gray’s “Dear Life,” two albums both worthy of your time and guaranteed to warm up your 2025 musical soul. 

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 Cover Photo Robin Grierson

Brian Maass is a native Austinite who has a passion for music, travel and sharing his experiences through his camera lens. He lives in Round Rock, Texas, with his wife Dana Kent Maass and their faithful dog Chester.