The Summer Road Trip Tour brought two electrifying bands and one torrential rain and thunderstorm to Raleigh for the sing-along of the summer.
Tropical storm Debby left Raleigh, NC just in time so Train and REO Speedwagon‘s Summer Road Trip Tour could arrive at Coastal Credit Union Music Park. With the exception of a one-hour delay between bands due to a thunderstorm, the weather was humid but beautiful for what turned out to be an end-to-end sing-along for a sizable crowd of fans. Mostly a 40+ age group, fans displayed their allegiance equally as strong to both bands, a testament to the strength of this double-bill show.
REO Speedwagon formed in 1967 and shot to stardom in the 1980s selling tens of millions of records at the height of their popularity. Now approaching 60 years as a band and every band member aged 70 years or more, the size of the Raleigh, NC crowd was smaller than what REO Speedwagon played to in the 1980s, but the passion and excitement for the band’s hit songs was just as feverishly high. When the audience wasn’t singing at the top of their lungs, there was no break in the applause and cheers for the band so many grew up with.
The band arrived on stage looking and acting like the legendary rock stars that they are. Smiling, energetic, and moving quickly across the stage, everyone took their places and kicked into “Don’t Let Him Go” and then “Take It On The Run” to set the tone for the set. This was not going to be a casual, easy-going trip down memory lane. No, this was a rock show and REO Speedwagon apparently still doesn’t know how to tone it down and slow it down to act their age. Lead vocalist Kevin Cronin dressed in multi-colored glasses and a denim jacket with colorful patches looked vibrant and downright youthful as he scurried across the stage and tried to smile at every audience member individually while guitarist Dave Amato beamed joy and happiness as he ripped through his solos with fiery ease.
The setlist contained song after song that delighted the very loud audience who refused to stop singing along. Included in the setlist and slightly out of the norm was “Music Man,” the song Kevin very proudly stated was the first song he wrote for the band in 1971 and landed him the job as lead vocalist. The 11-song main set included “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Son of a Poor Man,” and “Time For Me To Fly.” This being a double-bill show, REO Speedwagon took a brief break and returned for a two-song encore of “Keep On Loving You” and “Roll With The Changes.” Energetic, stylish, and powerful from start to end, REO Speedwagon got the party started right.
Train bounded onto the stage, appearing out from behind huge inflatable suitcases stacked across the back of the stage, ready with smiles and waves to the cheering audience. Lead vocalist Pat Monahan received the expected extra applause and cheers as he approached the front of the stage, hands waving high in the air and smiling hard. After an hour delay waiting for a lightning storm to pass, the audience was more than ready for Train to get started on their abbreviated set.Train’s shows are more than just music and singing, it’s a party. Two minutes into the opening song “Calling All Angels,” massive streamer cannons shot multi-colored streamers throughout the venue. Two songs in, “If It’s Love” was joined with a flurry of cell phones thrown at Pat on stage for a Pat selfie with an audience background. Three songs in with “Save Me, San Francisco,” Pat shouldered a video camera across the stage and displayed singing fans on the massive video screen backing the stage, followed by massive inflatable balls being tossed into the crowd to be gleefully batted around. Throughout their set, Train brought the show out into the audience.
Beyond Train’s incredible inventory of hit songs, the band is comprised of fantastic musicians who can flip the switch between carefree pop rock and hard-driving rock with ease. The Led Zeppelin cover “Over the Hills and Far Away” showcased Pat’s son Rock’s vocal strength and range while guitarist Taylor Locke brought the iconic song riffs to life. Throughout the show, all members of the band smiled at each other, clearly having a great time. At one point, drummer Matt Musty gave bassist Hector Maldonado a playful poke in the behind with his drumstick when Hector walked into range. The band’s enthusiasm for performing added that extra something that makes a band like Train so special and unique. Blessed with longevity and loyal fans, Train did not disappoint and played up until the very last moment before curfew arrived.
Train and REO Speedwagon’s Summer Road Trip Tour is a tour de force of lyrical excellence, masterful musicianship, and unhinged love of musical performance. The tour continues through September 11, 2024, ending in Phoenix, Arizona.
