The Fray has carved out a comfortable spot as one of light rock’s most popular acts.
Since rising prominence in 2005 with the hit single “How to Save a Life,” from the album of the same name, the band has seen all four of its records reach the top 20, with one — the group’s 2009 self-titled record — even claiming the top spot.
Now, the group will headline King County’s Marymoor Park at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, kicking off the venue’s summer concert series.
The Fray is touring behind its February album, “Helios,” which hit No. 8 on the charts. Working with producer Stuart Price, best known for his contributions to past albums by Madonna and the Killers, the band added some electronic flourishes to its relatively straight forward guitar rock.
Fans can expect to hear those new tracks, along with past hits like the Grammy-nominated track “Never Say Never,” during the band’s stop here.
Tickets are $44.50 to $54.50 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
Allen Stone also is kicking off a summer concert series, headlining the first show this season at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville. He will play at 7 Friday night.
Unlike the Fray, an established act, Stone still belongs in the up-and-comers category. The pop R&B singer grew up outside Spokane, in Chewelah, where he got his start singing at his father’s church.
He released his self-titled breakthrough album in 2011, winning favorable write-ups in Esquire and performing on several of the late night shows.
He’s gearing up now to release a new album, and already has premiered one song, “Millions,” via billboard.com.
Tickets are $34.25 to $56.75 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Country music fans, meanwhile, will face a little bit of a drive this weekend, as Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium hosts Dan + Shay at noon Saturday.
The Nashville duo started working together in 2012, releasing an album of bright and polished country pop this April. The record, “Where It All Began,” showcased a sound that had a lot more in common with the slickly produced sounds of Taylor Swift than the grittier twang of Johnny Cash.
Fans had no problem with that. The album was warmly received, bowing at No. 1 on the country charts and No. 6 on the Billboard 200 — a successful debut by any stretch of the imagination.
Tickets are $25.50 to $83 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
A pair of indie shows at Neumos in Seattle round out the week ahead.
First up is Sage Francis, the underground rapper who will play the venue at 8 Friday night.
The poetically minded emcee has made a name for himself by partnering with indie rock artists on past albums like “Li(f)e,” his well-received 2010 album. That record featured a collaboration with Chris Walla, of Seattle’s Death Cab for Cutie.
Francis is touring now behind his new album, “Copper Gone,” which saw release earlier this month.
Tickets are $20 at neumos.com.
Finally, indie pop band mewithoutYou is marking the 10th anniversary of its breakthrough album, 2004’s “Catch For Us the Foxes.” The group plays Neumos at 8 p.m. Monday.
The Philadelphia band, known for its religious bent, has had success since that album’s release, however. Its 2012 record, “Ten Stories,” topped Billboard’s Christian albums chart.
Tickets are $15 at neumos.com.
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