Train Celebrate 25 Years of Drops of Jupiter With a Sold-Out Nashville Play
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - July 31: Train celebrate 25 years of Drops of Jupiter with a sold-out show at Ascend Federal Credit Union Amphitheater. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
Making their grand return to Nashville, TN in sold-out fashion, Train are as firmly planted as ever. Out on the road celebrating twenty-five years of their seminal sophomore album Drops of Jupiter, Train has not strayed from the path they laid all those years ago, keeping in tow their quick wit, charming lyrics, and arena-ready sound that made them who they are today. Not only that, but the band is gearing up to release their 12th studio album, Mad Dog in the Fog, set to release August 28th, 2026.
Train started things off right, aptly opening the night with “She’s On Fire,” the title track from Drops of Jupiter. It’s one of the band’s grungier rock tracks, relying on a raw guitar tone and raspy vocal performance to achieve its distinctive 90’s flair. Frontman Pat Monahan takes centerstage on the latter, adding a tinge of grit to his usually polished vocals, though maintaining the bombastic energy that the band is known for. Guitarist Butch Walker took up the former, shredding on lead and adding some real rock-power to the band. While usually dismissed as easy-listening or soft-rock, Train had no problem hitting high gear when needed through the set.
Following up “She’s On Fire” is “50 Ways to Say Goodbye,” one of the band’s goofiest-in-the-best-way-possible, yet oddly relatable, tracks. It’s a fun dichotomy for the band to present early in the set, but they manage it flawlessly. Earmarked by its horns and warm guitar, “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” is instantly recognizable to even the most casual listener. Rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Jerry Becker is to thank here, stepping forward on the Spanish guitar in very firm fashion. Across the stage, bassist Hector Maldonado and drummer Matt Musty give the song its upbeat bump.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - July 31: Train celebrate 25 years of Drops of Jupiter with a sold-out show at Ascend Federal Credit Union Amphitheater. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
The rest of the night was filled with countless memorable moments, from Barenaked Ladies’ Ed Robertson joining on the melody of “Meet Virginia” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to the surprise engagement that happened during Monahan’s acoustic rendition of “Marry Me,” it was a truly special night. And while both of those moments were fantastic, Monahan bringing out his 14-year-old son Rock was a real treat, turning an ordinary show into a touching family-affair. I think it really ties back into what makes Train so special—their authenticity. This is a band that is unapologetically themselves, and even more than three decades deep into their career they continue to lay everything out on the table.
Setlist
She’s On Fire
50 Ways to Say Goodbye
If It’s Love
AM Gold
Play That Song
Whipping Boy
Calling All Angels
Meet Virginia -> Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver cover)[ft. Barenaked Ladies]
Mad Dog in the Fog [ft. Matt Nathanson]
Mississippi
Marry Me [acoustic]
Stone in Love (Journey cover)[ft. Rock Monahan]
Save Me, San Francisco [ft. Rock Monahan]
Angel in Blue Jeans
Bruises
Hey, Soul Sister
Vacation (Dirty Heads cover)[ft. Rock Monahan]
Drive By -> Hey Jude (The Beatles cover)
Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - July 31: Train celebrate 25 years of Drops of Jupiter with a sold-out show at Ascend Federal Credit Union Amphitheater. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
Train keeps on chugging down the tracks, with a string of shows through the Midwest and Rust Belt lined up ahead of them. After that, they’ll dart through Middle America and Texas on their way to the West Coast where they’ll close of their year. That run features several iconic venues including a sold-out night at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a night at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre.
You can find all of Train’s upcoming tour dates here.
2026
Aug 1 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center^*
Aug 3 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest~
Aug 4 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage^* [LOW TICKETS]
Aug 5 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre^* [LOW TICKETS]
Aug 7 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre^*
Aug 8 – Madison, WI – Breese Stevens Field^* [LOW TICKETS]
Aug 9 – Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake amphitheater^*
Aug 11 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater^*
Aug 12 – Kansas City, MO – Riverside Amphitheater^*
Aug 14 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion^*
Aug 15 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion^*
Aug 17 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre^* [SOLD OUT]
Aug 19 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre^*
Aug 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Talkin Stick Resort Amphitheatre^*
Aug 22 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl^* [SOLD OUT]
Aug 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre^* [LOW TICKETS]
Aug 25 – Lake Tahoe, NV – Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s^* [LOW TICKETS]
Aug 26 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre^*
Aug 28 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater^* [SOLD OUT]
Aug 29 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater^*
Aug 30 – Auburn, WA – White Water Amphitheater^*
Sep 1 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Fair 2026
2027
Feb 11-15 – Miami, FL – Sail Across The Sun Cruise [SOLD OUT]
^ w/ Barenaked Ladies
* with Matt Nathanson
~ with George Pippen
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - July 31: Train celebrate 25 years of Drops of Jupiter with a sold-out show at Ascend Federal Credit Union Amphitheater. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
It has been twenty-five years—a quarter of a century—since Train’s breakthrough and quite frankly, the band still has it. While they may no longer be at the forefront of rock’n’roll like they were when they dominated the airwaves of the 2000’s and 2010’s, the band clearly had no problem selling out one of the largest venues in Music City. Likewise, the band had very little problem putting on an incredible show, one that was filled with dancing, joy, and for some, life-changing moments. Many bands in Train’s position have faded rather rapidly over the years, yet Train hasn’t seen that sunset, and I don’t expect it to be anytime soon. Go and see this band on tour, genuinely you are going to have such a fun time.