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Train Celebrates 25 Years of Drops of Jupiter at PNC Bank Arts Center
- Miranda Wyman
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
On the anniversary tour, Train celebrated the album that defined a generation while reminding fans why its songs still resonate today.
Article Contributed by Miranda Wyman.
Photography by Miranda Wyman.
For a quarter of a century, Train has been sharing tunes that nearly everyone is familiar with, and on Friday, July 24, they took those beloved hits to the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey as part of their Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere tour. Featuring an impressive lineup, an audience spanning all ages, and numerous surprises, it was the ultimate summer concert in Jersey.
Before Train took the stage, the crowd was treated to performances from openers Matt Nathanson and Barenaked Ladies. Matt Nathanson opened the concert with a 10-song set highlighted by a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road," a fitting tribute for the New Jersey crowd.
Following Nathanson, Barenaked Ladies came out with a 16-song performance that felt like a show of its own.
They mixed their songs with a handful of covers, including Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime" and AC/DC's "Highway to Hell." One of the biggest surprises came during a mashup of "Pink Pony Club," "TEXAS HOLD 'EM," "The Gambler," "HOT TO GO!," "Sometimes When We Touch," and "So Long, Farewell."
Looking at that list, you would think there was no way those songs could possibly work together, but somehow, Barenaked Ladies executed the mashup perfectly. Another unexpected moment came when they played "The Big Bang Theory Theme." which was a surprise to most concertgoers as they had no idea that it was an original song by Barenaked Ladies.
One thing that stood out before Train even came on was the crowd itself. There were high schoolers hanging out with friends on a typical Friday night, people who have probably been listening to Train since the late '90s, and everyone in between.
With The PNC Bank Arts Center holding up to 17,500 people, there was a spot for every type of concertgoer, whether you were a die hard fan with a seat under the pavilion or a local throwing down a blanket and relaxing on the lawn with a cold beer.
Train opened with "She's on Fire" and immediately rolled into hit after hit, including "50 Ways to Say Goodbye," "If It's Love," "AM Gold," and "Play That Song." During "If It's Love," Pat Monahan had fans in the front row tossing their phones onto the stage so he could take selfies with them all while continuing to sing without missing a beat.
He grabbed whatever phone was thrown on stage, snap a quick selfie with the crowd behind him, toss it back, and move on to the next one. With songs like "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" and "Play That Song," Train had the entire amphitheater on its feet, with fans singing every word back to the band.
The emotional moments continued with "Marry Me," but this time, the lyrics became reality. During the song, a couple in the front row got engaged, and the crowd erupted into cheers as she said yes. It made an already meaningful song even more memorable.
The celebration didn't stop there. Train followed with a cover of Journey's "Stone in Love," bringing out Pat Monahan's 14-year-old son, Rock Monahan, to perform alongside the band. He looked right at home on stage and had the crowd cheering throughout the song. Next came "Save Me, San Francisco," when the crew rolled out oversized inflatable volleyballs with the Train logo, sending them bouncing across the amphitheater. It was another fun way Train turned the audience into part of the show.
Train kept the momentum going with "Bruises" before transitioning into their 2009 smash hit, "Hey, Soul Sister." If there was anyone sitting at that point, they weren't for long. The second those familiar opening chords played, fans were on their feet singing every word. It was one of those songs where you could barely hear Pat Monahan over the 17,000 crowd.
Keeping the energy high, Train followed with a cover of Dirty Heads' "Vacation" before launching into another fan favorite, "Drive By." Without missing a beat, the band seamlessly transitioned into a singalong of The Beatles' "Hey Jude," with thousands of voices carrying the iconic "na-na-na" chorus throughout the amphitheater.
As if the night couldn't get any more New Jersey, Train then welcomed Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan to the stage. Together, they performed Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer," turning the PNC Bank Arts Center into one giant singalong.
There was no better way to end the night than with "Drops of Jupiter." As thousands of fans sang every word back to the band, Train closed out a show that celebrated not only the album's 25th anniversary, but the songs that have connected generations of fans for the past two and a half decades.