After a weary week of Hurricane Idalia anticipation, Charlestonians were ready to cut loose. The storm brought cooler temperatures to the low country, and people aimed to be outside in the nice, post-storm breeze. Fans showed up in droves to fill the Credit One Stadium for Train’s latest tour.
Trainiacs of all ages rushed the barricades and, no joke, security had to move fans back. Screams reaching ear-piercing frequencies rang out as the band took the stage one by one. Taylor Locke (lead guitar), Jerry Becker (keyboards, rhythm guitar), Hector Maldonado (bass), and Matt Musty (drums, percussion) took the stage and laid down a music track.
Nikita Houston (backing vocals), Sakai Smith (backing vocals) followed and provided the elegant soul with their boisterous voices. Pat Monahan (lead vocals) walked on stage, and the stadium screeched with screams and whistles.
They kicked off the show with their party anthem, “Drink Up,” off the album a girl a bottle a boat (2017). Followed by “If It’s Love” from Save Me San Francisco (2010) during which Pat Monahan reached out for fan’s phones and proceeded to take selfies with the crowd, then skillfully tossed the phones back. One fan’s phone even got a full video clip, shot by Monahan, of the entire band. The show really picked up steam when Train played one of their most well-known tunes, “Meet Virginia,” from their 1998 self-titled debut. During which Monahan sported a Meet Virginia t-shirt and chucked others to the crowd. They even autographed one and threw it to a lucky fan. I was thoroughly impressed by Train’s ability to play it up with such a large crowd.
As if free selfies and swag weren't enough, Train continuously treated the crowd to various mashups. Starting with a mashup of “Meet Virginia” and Steve Miller’s “The Joker”. Taylor Locke and Jerry Becker really cut loose on the classic from 1973. They took to the front of the stage and rocked their six strings. Train even paid tribute to the late Jimmy Buffet with a “Margaritaville” cover seamlessly blended with Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” With over 10 albums, Train’s catalog is pretty massive, and they consequently had no need to do covers. But it was a blast for them to take their hits and meld them with 70’s classics. “Calling All Angels” from My Private Nation (2003) mixed with Journey’s “Frontiers” just worked. The real crowd-pleaser was the mash-up between their mega-hit “Hey, Soul Sister” from Save Me San Francisco (2010), blended with Redbone’s equally mega-hit “Come and Get Your Love” (1973).
Admittedly, I was ignorant of the massive fanbase that Train had, but I can now say that I am no longer in the ways of the Trainiacs. It became obvious from the first song that Train loves their fans, and their fans return that love big time. They ended the show with the song that won them two Grammy awards, “Drops of Jupiter,” from the 2001 album by the same name. This touching tribute to Monahan’s mother seemed to touch everyone in the stadium. It was a massive singalong with the crowd’s smiling faces illuminated in the glow of cell phone lights.
Train delivered a wildly entertaining show, fully engaging the crowd and finding new ways to keep their songs exciting while giving a little fan service with retro classics.
