Train 

Live reviews

• Sandwiched between a weekend of Third Eye Blind shows back in June, was an Amphitheater performance by none other than the beloved Train. I'm no stranger to their live shows. I've seen them everywhere from 20,000 capacity outdoor stadiums to Tropicana Field to intimate settings such as the Mahaffey Theatre for their Christmas Show last December. No matter the venue, Pat Monahan and company always seem to bring down the house.

  Their most recent Tampa stop was no exception as Train played a set full of hits to a mostly filled Florida Central Credit Union Amphitheater. (Likely cause from tickets being on Groupon for $15) I missed out on openers Matt Nathanson and The Fray, but got my spot in the lawn just as Train hit the stage.

  One of the reasons Train has survived and still has the ability to play such large venues after all these years is due to the vocal ability of Monahan. The singer is an absolute beast, focusing on the vocals and belting out line after line that carries well into the last few rows of lawn space. Pat's antics really make Train an entertaining band to see live. He departed into the crowd for a few songs and even invited audience members on stage to dance with him at different parts of the night.

  The other main reason is that Train is a well oiled machine now that knows what the fans want to hear. They play materials from all seven of their studio albums, but they definitely focus on the hits. Even a causal music fan would be amazed with how many Train tunes they recognize. Not one of the greatest hits was missed on the evening, keeping the crowd loud and captivated for the full set duration.

  Highlights for myself was poppy '50 Ways to Save Goodbye' right into 'If It's Love' to get the crowd going from the start, as well as honoring their early work with classics in 'Meet Virginia' and 'Drops of Jupiter.' I thought the best vocal performance of the night was hearing Pat sing his heart out on 'When I Look to the Sky.'

  The fans were well satisfied throughout the set, and Train even threw in a series of familiar covers to mix things up. This included Aerosmith's 'Dream On' as part of a sing a long encore. Overall, there was no better place to be in Tampa that night for $15. Train is always sounding good and putting on a fun show. I know I'll be buying tickets next summer (or hopefully this winter) for their next stop in Florida.

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  by mike-leone-1

• Train was decent, not as good as they were last year when I saw them at The Ravinia in Highland Park, but decent. As usual, their performance was a very high energy one, which definitely made it enjoyable. However, in spite of that, the vocals and the instrumentation still left something to be desired.

  They opened with one of their newer songs and initially the lead singer's voice sounded a little nasal and whiny. Fortunately, it got better as the show progressed. Even so, there were still a couple of rocky moments and at least one where I saw him pull his earpiece out so he could hear himself because he was off key.

  As for the instrumentation, after hearing such great musicians at the Milwaukee Summer Fest, the band didn't really excite me or make me say ooh. While they weren't horrible, they weren't spectacular either. I did however, like the background singers. They sounded really good and they definitely added a much needed element to the show.

  I also loved when they brought the kids from the audience onstage and let them dance during one of the songs. That was awesome and I love the fact that Train's show is one that you can bring a kid to without having to be concerned that they'll see or hear something they shouldn't. Therefore, in spite of my various caveats about this particular performance, I won't rule out seeing them again because they still have great songs, they always give you a good show and in spite of my caveats, I still had a good time.

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  by shannon-bandy-1

• I first saw Train in concert in 2006 and I loved every minute of it. This is exactly my type of music. It isn't too hard, yet it makes you feel pretty good about things going on around you.

  I especially love Pat's acoustic version of Drops of Jupiter. I really like when they play that one on a show. There's something really honest about simple guitar pieces – it really shows off a person's talent, as it does with this piece by Train.

  That said, it's also really fun when Pat suddenly whips out a megaphone to sing "I Got You". I like how they seem so comfortable with their music. The audience really got into it when "Save Me San Francisco" was performed. The audience was part of the song, and were made to sing part of the song. This was a really fun part of the show. The audience really got into the show at this point.

  I went to my last Train show with a few people that weren't really familiar with Train, but as the show went on, they really seemed to be having a good time and getting into the music. You just couldn't help yourself.

  Train have a way of just making you feel like you wanted to join in. I will definitely go to another concert by Train this year, they're touring pretty hard at the moment. I think the 'nonbelievers' that were with me would also immediately agree to going to another concert!

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  By Anonymous

• Saw OAR, James Bay and Train this past Wednesday at the Hammerstein Ballroom. During the beginning of James Bay's set that there were not enough speakers to fully fill the space, but they figured out how to fix that audio by the end of the show. James Bay - Let it Go brought chills. He is so so great live - and even more talented of a live performer than he is a recorded artist. Extremely talented guitar player, and integrated rock with his adaption of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Proud Mary.' The night ended with Train - they were... AMAZING. Patrick Monahan has such a stage presence and was nothing but smiles the entire night. The set list was so on point, and even included an appearance from Matt Nathanson. They finished with Hey Soul Sista and Drops of Jupiter.

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  by katey-kanata

• Pat and the boys at a nice small venue, support was adequate and appropriate for the band

  Train played All their best from the back catalogue plus a selection from the tour titled album

  Saving the top tune for the encore

  A great mix of old and new with Pat interactive with the mixed audience...

  Extremely warm especially once everyone started bopping and singing although some breeze eventually started to drift through

  Drinks prices were extortionate and the empty plastic glasses caused more issues once discarded on the floor ...concession and security were efficient and friendly ... Park next door .., pre book and save a few quid

  Twenty minute walk to the quod along the canal for some pre concert food

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  by martin-dobinson-1

• I had the best time at this concert. Train performed a couple of covers (awesome!), a few new tunes, and their greatest hits! Pat was a consummate showman and the band was exceedingly talented! I took my parents (very young 63 and 64) for their 45th anniversary! Train is one of their all-time favorite bands and it was an absolute treat to share this experience with them. They drove up from Nashville to see them with me in Columbia.

  Thank you to Train for such a wonderful performance! You guys are tremendously talented and put on a fabulous show!!!

  Thank you Songkick for alerting me to this concert and making this experience possible for myself and my family!

  Jenn F.

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  by Jennfen2

• Train was Awesome. Pat is such an amazing and talented artist. From taking probably 100+ selfies with fans while singing on stage, to him and all the band autographing a Train t-shirt and tossing it into the crowd, the entire evening was one of the best concert experiences of my life. I love when they do covers of other groups songs. Tonight Train did "With a Little Help From My Friends" and Pat brought out Isaac Slade (The Fray) and Matt Nathanson to sing with him. Best version of that song I've heard. Can't say enough good things about Train, from the band to their music, to attending live concerts. They are the best.

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  by mark-erickson-1

• This was my 8th Train concert..their concerts are unbelievabley amazing. Pat (lead singer) makes you feel like hes performing just for you. He does an amazing job connecting with the crowd. Every Train concert I've been to has improved emensly. I doubt you will go to any concert and get the same interaction. Mostly every concert I've been to, have gotten something out of it. It's either a signed t-shirt, a t-shirt he threw into the crowd and I caught, a signed beach ball, a picture with him or even going up on stage. The experience you will encounter at a Train concert is unforgettable.

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  by kconta

• The show was excellent! no down time! great interaction with audience! Great music it was a really fun time! would say a must see! Even with it being so hot out the entire band really went all out on stage train played for about an hour and a half. Matt Nathanson, and the singer for fray joined in on the song with a little help from my friends! It was excellent! Also enjoyed the rendition of Dream on by Aerosmith! During the encore!

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  by michael-shipma

• This is the hands down best band! Not only do they have a amazing music, but the lead has the other members sing different songs as well! That is a great secure band lead! He always includes the fans in concert and it is very deliberate you can tell its not staged. I will always follow them and their amazing concert Venus. Thanks Train you are officially my favorite band. If you knew my obsession with music..that's saying a lot!

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  by kim-l-buchanan-mays