Train’s Pat Monahan Talks Family, New Album, and Tour Ahead of Tuesday’s St. Louis Show

What: Train –
Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Summer Tour 2026
Special Guests: Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson
When: Tuesday, August 11, Doors at 5:30; Show at 6:45
Where: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre,
Maryland Heights, Missouri
Tickets: On sale HERE
–by Danya Artimisi
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, nostalgia, and giving back as Train rolls into the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Tuesday, August 11, with its Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Summer Tour 2026. Joining the Grammy Award-winning band are special guests Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson, creating a lineup packed with hit songs and crowd favorites.
The tour celebrates the 25th anniversary of Train’s landmark album Drops of Jupiter, which launched the band into international stardom with the title track that earned two Grammy Awards and remains one of the most recognizable songs of the past quarter century. Fans can also expect to hear favorites such as “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Calling All Angels,” “Drive By,” “Meet Virginia,” and many more.
Adding to the excitement, Barenaked Ladies will bring their signature blend of witty songwriting, infectious energy, and beloved hits including “One Week,” “Pinch Me,” and “If I Had $1,000,000.” Opening the evening is acclaimed singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson, whose heartfelt lyrics and engaging stage presence have made him a fan favorite with songs like “Come On Get Higher” and “Faster.”
Beyond celebrating great music, the evening also supports a meaningful cause. One dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to Family House of San Francisco, a nonprofit organization that provides temporary housing and support for families of children receiving treatment for serious illnesses. The organization has long been championed by Train and lead singer Pat Monahan as part of the band’s ongoing commitment to giving back.
Whether you’ve been a Train fan since the late 1990s or you’re looking for one of the summer’s premier live music experiences, this concert promises an evening filled with unforgettable performances, sing-along anthems, and heartfelt moments.
I sat down and talked with Train’s vocalist, Pat Monahan, to discuss their upcoming show at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater:
Interviewer (Danya): Hi, Pat. Thanks for joining Midwest Rewind
Pat Monahan: Thank you. How’s it going, Danya?
Danya: Very well! I’m really looking forward to the show Tuesday night at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre….you know, this is going to age both of us a little, but I first heard “Meet Virginia” at The Gargoyle in St. Louis back in 1998. Then I saw you again at Mississippi Nights in 1999.
Do you remember either of those shows?
Pat: Wow… Mississippi Nights, yeah. I remember both of those venues.
Danya: Any favorite memories of St. Louis or things you’re looking forward to while you’re here?
Pat: I love coming to all parts of the Midwest, and St. Louis is always a lot of fun. I have great friends there. I’ve been to the top of the Arch, which is one of the coolest experiences—lying on your stomach and looking through the glass. We’ve been to baseball games, had amazing food, and there are so many great things about St. Louis that we always look forward to. We don’t have much time there this trip, but whenever we have a day off, we try to take full advantage of the places we visit.
Danya: I was going to ask if you’d have time to explore, but I know you’re about a month into the tour now. How many cities have you played so far?
Pat: I think we’ve played about 20 shows and have 18 left, so we’re roughly halfway through.
Danya: This tour celebrates the 25th anniversary of Drops of Jupiter, an album that, for me, is one of those that has no skippable tracks.
Pat: Thank you. We play a few songs from Drops of Jupiter every night, and we also have a new album coming out in just a couple of weeks. We perform one song from the new record each night, and we rotate which one it is. I think that’s enough new material to introduce people to the album without overwhelming them.
I’ve been to concerts where artists play so much new music that they leave out the songs everyone came to hear. I never want to do that. We want people to enjoy the songs they know while also getting a taste of what’s coming.
Danya: That’s one of the things I’m excited about. For a lot of us Gen Xers, this lineup feels like the soundtrack of our late ’90s and early 2000s with Train, Barenaked Ladies, and Matt Nathanson.
Now, with regard to your new album, Mad Dog in the Fog, I read that it’s named after a bar! Tell me about that.
Pat: It is. Mad Dog in the Fog was one of the places we used to play for free while trying to build a fan base. Cyril, the owner, is a wonderful guy. The song is about that place and all the incredible musicians who spent time there. Elvis Costello even used to stop in to watch European soccer. It’s just one of those magical little places that deserved to have a song written about it.
Danya: Very cool! And if it isn’t already, a tourist stop for Train fans! I also wanted to ask about Butch Walker. He officially joined Train last November, but you two have known each other much longer. What’s the history there?
Pat: I met Butch during our first “Meet Virginia” tour in 1998. Back then, everyone was competing for attention, record sales, and shelf space. A lot of artists kept each other at arm’s length, but Butch and I never had that relationship. We immediately appreciated each other’s talent and became friends.
Years later, we started writing songs together, and he eventually produced several of our albums. He’s managed by Crush Management, and he actually helped get Train signed with them. Crush has changed our lives for the better. Butch is one of my closest friends. He can stay in this band as long as he wants. If he ever decides he’s not having fun anymore, then I hope he goes and finds something that does make him happy, because our friendship comes first.
Danya: I don’t think Butch could have a bad time anywhere. His energy is so infectious, and I can’t wait to see what he brings to a Train show.
Pat: He brings a lot. He’s incredibly talented and so much fun to watch. My 14-year-old son, Rock, comes out during the show to play guitar and sing with him, and watching those two together is really special.
Danya: I’ve seen the videos on social media. He’s only 14 years old and already holding his own next to Butch Walker. It’s incredible – and he sings “Stone in Love,” which is my favorite Journey song, and it blows my mind every time! I won’t ask whether he’ll be coming out in St. Louis because I’d rather it be a surprise—but we certainly hope so.
Pat: I won’t tell you… but he’ll be there.
Danya: (Laughs.) That’s awesome! As a parent of a musician myself, I can only imagine how proud you must be seeing your son on stage beside you.
Pat: It is really special. Eventually he’ll outgrow playing with me and go on to have the biggest band in the world.
Danya: I hope he does!

Before we wrap up, tickets are still available through LiveNation.com, and I understand that one dollar from every ticket sold goes to Family House of San Francisco.
Pat: That’s right. Family House provides housing for lower-income families whose children need specialized care at UCSF Hospital, including brain and eye surgeries. It’s an incredible organization. There are similar charities around the country, but this one is local to us and very close to our hearts.
Danya: I love hearing that. It’s wonderful to see a band giving back in such a meaningful way. Unrelated, I’ve also heard fans talking about your tradition of grabbing phones from the front row to take selfies during the show.
Pat: We’ll definitely be doing that during “If It’s Love.”
Danya: That’s something everyone will be looking forward to.
Pat, thank you so much for your time. I’m really looking forward to seeing you Tuesday night.
Pat: Me too. Thanks so much.
Event Details
- What: Train – Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Summer Tour 2026
- Special Guests: Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson
- When: Tuesday, August 11, Doors at 5:30; Show at 6:45
- Where: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights, Missouri
Tickets are still available and can be purchased through Live Nation at livenation.com. Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the summer’s most anticipated concerts while supporting a cause that helps families when they need it most.
August 11, 2026 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
August 12, 2026 – Riverside, MO – Morton Amphitheater
August 14, 2026 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 15, 2026 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
August 17, 2026 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre SOLD OUT
August 19, 2026 – West Valley City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 21, 2026 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
August 22, 2026 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl +
August 24, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
August 25, 2026 – Lake Tahoe, NV – Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic
August 26, 2026 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
August 28, 2026 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
August 29, 2026 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater
August 30, 2026 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre

