Train’s concert was totally sold out on July 19, with all chairs and lawn seats in the venue occupied, leaving some in the audience standing.

Just moments before Train was to grace the stage, Vandenberg Space Force Base was launching a SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink Rocket, which was visible from the amphitheater.

Singing in concert is Patrick Monahan, co-founder, lead singer and song writer for Train.
Singing in concert is Patrick Monahan, co-founder, lead singer and song writer for Train. Credit: Courtesy photo

I would say launching a rocket is a hard act to follow, but Train was up for the challenge. Just moments after the launch, the lights dimmed on stage and you could hear a Train in the distance moving closer and closer, until you felt it was instantly upon you.

At that moment the band Train appears on stage, and begins its opening number ”AM Gold,” which happens to be the title track of Train’s most recent studio effort, released in May 2022.

“Calling All Angels” and “Meet Virginia,” the band’s first top 20 hit from 1999 follow, at which point lead singer Pat Monahan introduced the newest member of the Train family, from San Luis Obispo, Taylor Locke. 

During the evening a sweet moment occurs when Monahan introduces his 11-year-old son Rock Monahan on stage. Asked by his father who’s your favorite Rock band, Rock replies, “Tears For Fears.” So hearing this, they sing together “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”

Highlights from the night’s setlist included “Save Me San Francisco,” “Soul Sister,” and the night closer “Drops of Jupiter.”

Train has had 14 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 list since the release of the band’s debut self-titled album.

Train has sold more than 10 million albums and 30 million tracks worldwide, with multiple platinum/gold citations, including three Grammy Awards, two Billboard Music Awards and many more honors.

In 2001, “Drops of Jupiter” brought them to multiplatinum status, thanks to the double Grammy-winning title song that spent 10 months in the top 40.

The group won another Grammy in 2011 for the global hit “Hey Soul Sister,” the No. 1 best-selling smash and most downloaded single of 2010, achieved RIAA Diamond status in 2021 and now 11-time platinum, and in 2022 surpassed one billion streams on Spotify from its multiplatinum album “Save Me, San Francisco.”

Train had 12 albums on the Billboard 200 album chart, another big honor.

Train frontman Pat Monahan partakes in other venture outside of music, including his award-winning wine portfolio, Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co, which was created in 2011 and has sold more than 10 million bottles and won 100-plus medals.

Proceeds from his wine business support Family House, a San Francisco charity that supports families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

In closing, I would say it was a wonderful summer evening at a beautiful venue with an extremely talented rock band performing. 

Train is what rock & roll is all about, one of the best rock bands of our times.

Setlist of Train’s Concert:

 1.   AM Gold
 2.   Calling All Angels
 3.   Meet Virginia 
 4.   Save Me, San Francisco
 5.   Bruises 
 6.   Angel in Blue Jeans  
 7.   Mississippi 
 8.   Marry Me 
 9.   Hey, Soul Sister 
10.  Play That Song

  1.  50 Ways to Say Goodbye
    12.  Hey, Soul Sister / Come and Get Your Love 
    13.  Drive By / Hey Jude
    14.  Hotel California 
    15.  Drops of Jupiter