Train // Live @ Riverbend Music Center // 7.29.26 -

Review & photos: Linda Carlson

Cincinnati, OH – This particular evening welcomed a break from recent high heat and oppressive humidity that had plagued Cincinnati in recent weeks. It was as if this beautiful night was meant to be celebrated with upbeat, positive music.

On this evening, fans came to experience Train’s “Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere” Tour, reliving the iconic album that infused alternative rock with introspective themes and catchy melodies. The crowd was ready for a night of fun, and from the openers to the headliner, the entire lineup delivered.

Opening the night was Matt Nathanson, the effervescent singer-songwriter from Massachusetts who has been entertaining fans for more than 30 years. Nathanson’s stage presence is warm and approachable, and his set laid the groundwork for effervescent fun. His set included original work as well as a few covers, closing with his 2008 hit, “Come On Get Higher.”

Next up was Barenaked Ladies (BNL), who put on a tremendous performance that had the growing crowd on their feet and singing. There were so many songs that the fans connected with that brought memories and smiles. Whether it was “Brian Wilson’s Song,” “One Week,” “If I had $1,000,000” or the theme song for The Big Bang Theory, the crowd embraced them all. Lead vocalist Ed Robertson masterfully connected with the audience, as did Jim Creegan (all kinds of bass), Tyler Stewart (drums) and Kevin Hearn (guitar).

BNL worked the crowd with ease – referring affectionately to the Cincinnati audience as folks from “Lower Ohio and Upper Kentucky,” as Cincinnati sits just across the Ohio River from Kentucky. He reminisced throughout their performance, as well. Robertson shared that one particular song, performed all over the world including Madison Square Garden, was performed best at the Peach Pit on Beverly Hill 90210 – that was his introduction “Brian Wilson’s Song.”

During a medley of song snippets (“Highway to Hell,” “So Long, Farewell” from The Sound of Music, “Pink Pony Club” and others), Stewart came off the drum kit and sang, ending with Creegan playfully jumping into his outstretched arms.

The crowd was certainly revved for Train, who started their loaded set with the dramatic drop of a Train banner to “She’s On Fire.”

Train is Pat Monahan (lead vocals), Hector Maldonado (bass), Jerry Becker (keyboards), Butch Walker (guitar), and Matt Musty (drums) – though truthfully, everybody on stage sings at some point. Indeed, during “Bruises,” Monahan casually walked from band member to band member, offering the mic so that each could sing part of the song. He playfully teased Becker several times during this song, pretending to approach him with the outstretched mic to sing, only to pull the mic away at the last moment, and then move on to another band member instead. Finally, at the end of the song, he returned to Becker just in time for the final word of the song (“Bruises!”) – Becker adjusted his stance to be serious and erect, and sang the single word loudly in overly dramatic operatic tones. The crowd loved it!

Monahan connected with the crowd, even taking a few dozen fan cell phones and doing selfies for them from the stage throughout “If It’s Love.”

Again, the band had so many favorites to share, including “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Calling All Angels,” closing with “Drops of Jupiter.” The band is also promoting an upcoming album release, playing “To Gloria,” a song Monahan said was about the first girl to break his heart (named Diane, I believe, but he didn’t want to use her real name in the song).

Of note, something quite special and endearing occurred mid-set when Monahan brought his 13-year-old son (Stone Monahan) to the stage to perform “Stone in Love” (Journey cover). This young man (so young!) was exceptional, singing with a resonant tone that was shockingly perfect, and playing guitar riffs with the ease of a seasoned pro. It was absolutely astounding. He performed on stage periodically throughout the rest of the set.

The full set follows:

She’s on Fire
50 Ways to Say Goodbye
If It’s Love
AM Gold
Play That Song
Whipping Boy
Jack and Diane (John Mellencamp cover) (with Matt Nathanson)
Calling All Angels
Medley: Meet Virginia / Take Me Home, Country Roads / Meet Virginia (with Ed Robertson)
To Gloria
Mississippi
Marry Me
Stone in Love (Journey cover) (with Rock Monahan)
Save Me, San Francisco
Angel in Blue Jeans / Too Sweet
Bruises
Hey, Soul Sister
Vacation (Dirty Heads cover) (with Rock Monahan)
Drive By
Drops of Jupiter

The North American Tour continues through August. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone even remotely considering attending a show to go! You will not regret it.

Check the photo carousel below for more photos from the night’s performances!

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