Words and pictures by Rhona Murphy.
The penultimate Summer Session in Southampton was San Francisco’s Train. Formed in the early 90s, Train has been gigging/touring/recording for over 20 years (with hiatus years 2006-2008). The line-up has changed several times with lead singer Pat Monahan being the constant member during their career. They have built their success on banging original songs (Monahan has also written songs for & collaborated with many artists) and also many cover versions which vary widely from show to show.
Train’s support artist was Matt Hansen (and no he’s not one of the Hanson brothers) who is also from California. Hansen has utilized TikTok to gain and grow a huge following across the globe before hitting the touring scene with current dates with Train plus his own headline dates across Europe with Southampton, London, Halifax and Manchester being the UK shows. Within a couple of minutes of stepping out on the Southampton stage, Hansen had stolen the hearts of the crowd both with his vocal ability, soulful ballads and also his personality as he expressed disbelief that people were there to watch him. Hansen’s set included his latest single ‘Yellowstone (holding you)’ as well as ‘Iris’ by the Goo Goo Dolls which turned into a massive sing-along for the Guildhall crowd.
Train’s walk on track (of a incoming train) gave notice that band were on their way. They kicked off with ‘Calling All Angels’ from the band’s third studio album ‘My Private Nation’ before storming through a set that included not only their most popular songs but also covers of Pink Floyd ‘Time’, The Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’, Teddy Swims ‘Lose Control’ and of course (because few shows are complete without it) The Beatles ‘Hey Jude’.
As an extra treat Butch Walker was on the lead guitar, standing in for Train’s regular guitarist Taylor Locke. Walker is a very well known artist/writer/ producer/collaborator in his own right having produced for Green Day, Weezer, Panic At The Disco and Taylor Swift among others. He’s also very entertaining to watch as he whirls across the stage. Monahan’s 14 year old son Rock also took to the stage to perform a few of songs, which really appealed to the crowd which spanned all age groups including plenty of young kids on the shoulders of parents. Another highlight of the show was an actual marriage proposal in the audience to coincide with Train’s song ‘Marry Me’. Monahan addressed the couple to offer them merch and tee shirts providing they promised to wear them on their wedding day!
The finale came with Train’s most popular song, ‘Drops Of Jupiter’, which I reckon was probably heard in Portsmouth, such was the volume and enthusiasm! Train pitched their performance and setlist perfectly with the combination of old and new songs appealing to everyone. Well played!
Matt Hansen Setlist:
Strangers Again
Versions of Forever
Better Off Without Me
Something to Remember
Yellowstone (holding you)
Gravity
Someone to You
Found
Iris (Goo Goo Dolls cover)
Chemicals
LET EM GO
Train’s Setlist:
Calling All Angels
If It’s Love
Get To Me
Meet Virginia
Time (Pink Floyd cover)
Save Me, San Francisco
This’ll be My Year
Play That Song
Angels in Blue Jeans/Too Sweet (Hozier cover)
Lose Control (Teddy Swims cover)
Marry Me
50 Ways To Say Goodbye
Bruise
Brokenhearted
Hey, Soul Sister
Drive By/Hey Jude (Beatles cover)
We Were Made For This
Hotel California (The Eagles cover)
Drops Of Jupiter
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