An iconic song deserves an iconic celebration and that’s exactly what transpired at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Friday night as Train marked 25 years of “Drops of Jupiter”. The band has spent 25 Years in the Atmosphere with this massive hit track and threw a jubilant birthday party attended by Arizona’s most diehard fans.
This return to the road had to be perfect so naturally Train brought along their friends in Barenaked Ladies and singer Matt Nathanson to round on the lineup. Nathanson kicked off the festivities as the sun crept below the horizon, bracing against the scorching August heat for a performance full of positivity. Fans at the front of the pit came bearing signs and smiles for Nathanson and he returned their love- and plenty of playful banter- throughout the set. After favorites like “Giants” and “Bill Murray”, his time onstage came to a close with a creative mashup of “Come On Get Higher” and “Defying Gravity”.
Barenaked Ladies provided the eccentricity and levity in the night’s lineup, immediately taking the amphitheatre back to “The Old Apartment” (and maybe the county fair) with their feel-good energy. The band had the crowd on their feet despite the still elevated temperatures, as fans danced and sang along to “Falling for the First Time”, “Brian Wilson” and even the theme song to The Big Bang Theory. Fans were clamoring for the hits and Barenaked Ladies didn’t make them wait long- the first notes of “One Week” had the crowd surging to its feet to keep up with the song’s rapidfire delivery. After a pop music mashup, the band surrendered the stage to the tune of “Lovin’ Life”.
Flashing lights and a massive banner preceded Train’s entrance to the stage to start a lengthy performance with “She’s on Fire”. The band has so many hits that they stacked a few at the top, dousing the audience in confetti during the cheeky “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” and accepting the phones tossed onstage for “If It’s Love” (and a few lucky fans got their phones back with a few selfies from the band).
With over 30 years of music in the rearview, Train had more than enough material to fill the show and they made every moment special for the audience. The band was joined onstage by both Matt Nathanson for a cover of “Jack and Diane” and Ed Robertson for another special cover of “Meet Virginia” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” that turned the crowd into a choir. Sandwiched between these two moments was “Calling All Angels”, another entry into the band’s anthemic catalog.
This tour has become a family affair, with singer Pat Monahan’s son Rock joining the group to shred and sing on their rendition of Journey’s “Stone in Love” (alongside the magical guitar prowess of Butch Walker). The fans went wild at Rock Monahan’s appearance while his father looked on with pride. Love was in the air during “Marry Me”, as one glowing couple found themselves engaged to the delight of the band before they picked up the tempo again on “Save Me, San Francisco” and the sunshine-soaked “Hey, Soul Sister”.
Rock Monahan joined the band one more time on a cover of Dirty Heads’ “Vacation”, staying onstage to jam out for “Drive By” and the final euphoric celebration of “Drops of Jupiter”. Train threw their biggest hit one heck of a birthday party and Arizona will certainly be back for the next celebration the band brings to the desert.
