Train Rolled Through St. Louis Tuesday For a Hot Show on a Hot Night
–by Jay Smith
–photos by Danya Artimisi / Muse Creative
Tuesday evening at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Train brought their “Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere” Tour through Saint Louis and delivered a diverse mix of singalong nostalgia, newer songs, and surprise cover tunes that kept the local crowd on their feet and singing for their entire 19 song set. The two opening acts, Matt Nathanson and Barenaked Ladies, also followed the same lead, coloring their sets heavily with a large mix of cover songs that truly seemed to keep the crowd both surprised as well as seriously entertained.
Up first was Matt Nathanson. Some performers just know how to instantly bond and connect with a crowd and Matt executed this talent flawlessly while injecting a refreshing sense of relief while simultaneously pulling off the daunting task of getting the crowd on their feet and singing enthusiastically in the 96-degree inferno that is a Saint Louis summer night.
He kept everyone on their toes and swaying to crowd favorites like 2007 ‘s “Come On Get Higher” and 2011’s “Faster”, he also kept the singalong machine rolling with covers of Don Henley’s “Boys Of Summer”, Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl”, and probably the most well received of his set, “Laid” by James. Matt managed to do the nearly impossible. Properly amp up a crowd who would otherwise be melting into their seats.
Next up, Barenaked Ladies didn’t let the crowd lose an ounce of momentum with their one-of-a-kind brand of campy and theatrical word play. While I have to admit to missing the presence of Steven Page who amicably left the band in 2009, Ed Robertson commanded the entire set without missing a step, accompanied by some of the most capable and unexpectedly incredible musicians of the evening.
Current bassist Jim Creeggan was the most notable, with a stand-up bass solo that dropped jaws to the ground. No one was left disappointed with the song selection, which covered fan favorites such as “Pinch Me,” “One Week,” “If I Had a Million Dollars,” their famous “Big Bang Theory” theme song, and, also following suit with cover tunes, “Pink Pony Club,” “TEXAS HOLD ’EM,” “The Gambler,” “HOT TO GO!,” “Sometimes When We Touch,” and “So Long, Farewell.”
Finally, at 9:15pm the crowd was greeted by the anticipated headliners, Train, making their stage entrance with a stellar light intro and Kabuki Drop to the crowd rousing “She’s on Fire”. While Pat Monahan is the only original member, this is likely the most well rounded and talented group of musicians to date including; Hector Maldonado on Bass, Jerry Becker on Keys and Guitar, Matt Musty on Drums, and the highly anticipated addition of Butch Walker on lead guitar.
Many will remember Butch as not just a world-renowned songwriter and producer for some of music’s biggest names, (Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Fall Out Boy, Pink, and many more) but also as the lead singer of late 90’s early 2000’s rock band “The Marvelous 3”. Butch’s stage energy and lead guitar playing was infectious to the point that he was seemingly setting the pace for the entire band’s energy for all 19 songs, literally never losing steam.
Every single crowd favorite was played including “Calling All Angels”, “Meet Virginia”, “Marry Me” (and YES… there was an actual proposal put up on the big screen in real time), “Hey Soul Sister”, and “Drops Of Jupiter” rounding out the many career spanning crowd favorites.
And naturally, Train also threw their hat in the cover song Octagon with “Hey Jude” by The Beatles and an absolutely SCORCHING cover of “Stone in Love” by Journey that would leave the creators of the tune itself in a standing ovation. And the best part, the show stealing moment was when Pat Monahan brought his 14-year-old son, Rock Monahan to the stage to assume lead vocal duties, as well as a blistering back and forth guitar duel with Butch Walker for the solo. And for those wondering, this was not a “cameo by nepotism” moment. Rock has chops. And he brought them in spades. Simply put, watch for him!
Though the show was not a sellout, it was very well attended by both old school fans of the acts as well as some brand-new converts (that would be me) who were blown away by how phenomenally all of the bands performed. If you were expecting a paint by numbers roster of “safe songs and radio friendly bangers only” you received a pleasant surprise. Train delivered and I, for one, will enthusiastically see them again.
Be sure to check out the gallery of images from the night after the setlist below.
Train Setlist:
She’s on Fire
50 Ways to Say Goodbye
If It’s Love
AM Gold
Play That Song
Whipping Boy
Jack ad Diane (John Mellancamp cover) (with Matt Nathanson)
Calling All Angels
Meet Virginia / Take Me Home / Country Roads
Blue Brush Footed Butterfly / Bittersweet Symphony
Mississippi
Marry Me
Stone in Love (Journey cover) (with Rock Monahan)
Save Me, San Francisco
Bruises
Hey, Soul Sister
Vacation (Dirty Heads cover)
Drive By (with Hey Jude outro)
Drops of Jupiter
