For some tonight could be considered a dose of nostalgia, a re-reading of a chapter in life’s book, the soundtrack to a time passed. Like all songs that have become the soundtrack to life they stay with you, they bring memories of times and places back to life in the minds eye. Tonight was just that, a trip down memory lane and a damn good time.
Jason Wade from Lifehouse along with musical partner Steve Stout delivered a short and sweet opening set of new music and Lifehouse hits. Wade has an incredible way of connecting with the crowd who by large are unfamiliar with these songs. His demeanour and presence is light and enjoyable. Clearly surprised by a couple of fans who were familiar with his solo catalogue, Wade befriended a few in the front rows. Hearing the reimagination of the two massive Lifehouse hits “Halfway Gone” which was referred to as the supermarket song. Joking along the way stating that yep this is the song that’s playing when you go to Coles or Woolies that’s playing as you move through the produce aisles.
This introduction is a little self-deprecating, but given the light-hearted delivery it has it hits well. It’s funny how a song can have a new life in a new place, even if it is a supermarket. Wade does however seem pretty happy about this after all. There is a human element and engagement that comes so easily in the words of his original songs. These stories of love, life, the joy of his daughter are all radiant. Wade’s in-between song banter is connective; his love of The Wiggles is massive as he truly believes they are simply wizards when it comes to his daughter. It’s the two Lifehouse songs that take this set from being a new experience to being a place where you know you have been before.
The reimagination of these songs and stripping them back to the bones simply accentuates just how great these songs are. Like so many of the great radio hits of the pop/rock genre in the 2000’s “Halfway Gone” and “Hanging By A Moment” are certainly prime cuts that have a place in those of us that lived it and heard it whenever we turned on the radio or television. This generation was the truly the last of their kind. I’m so glad Wade is still out there doing his thing. Having said that a Lifehouse reunion wouldn’t be rude either. It is well worth turning up early to check out his set.
Setlist: Somewhere In Between, Halfway Gone, All Of My Life, Broken, You And Me, Blind, Hanging By A Moment.
Also on tonight’s bill is the wonderful KT Tunstall. Tunstall who is possibly best remembered for her massive radio hit back in 2004 has a depth to her and in all honesty should have had her career skyrocket her long and endearing career globally. While still having a successful career, the global domination of “Suddenly I See” was never repeated here in Australia again. That isn’t taking a single thing away from the talent of Tunstall, it’s just how the industry has changed and shifted.
Accompanied by Andy Burrows of Razorlight fame on drums, bass and guitar synchronously at times as a solo performance this was simply amazing. Every song in its own right deserves to be in household playlists. The happiness and joy Tunstall radiates while playing is captivating, there’s is a true art in her craft of songwriting. Tunstall’s energy is simply infectious, prompting a great reaction from the crowd through her entire set. Burrows adds so much to the way we hear these songs; he fills in the right places and his voice is the perfect harmonies accompaniment to Tunstall. This is a dream duo, who needs a full band, it is perfect in the way it is.
Tunstall’s voice is rich and warm; her phrasing and delivery of words is powerful. If anything, I think KT’s voice is better than ever. With a surprise cover of good friend Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn”, Tunstall does the song so much justice. If anyone other than Imbruglia was to sing this, it could only be KT. I love her version of this. A cover of Razorlight’s “America” again shows off the pure talent that is Andy Burrows and has made me go and check out the band as there is something magical here.
Tunstall’s household hit “Suddenly I See” closes out the set and John Cain Arena are is fine voice, clapping along making it the best sing along of the night so far. I really enjoyed Tunstall’s set, it did what it should, it left me wanting more and will see me deep dive back into her catalogue and certainly warmed up tonights crowd.
Setlist: I Am The Pilot, Maybe It’s A Good Thing, Private Eyes (New Song), Black Horse & The Cherry Tree, Torn, Otherside Of The World, America (Razorlight Cover), Suddenly I See.
KT TUNSTALL GALLERY
Train has a list of hits longer than most over the last two and a half decades. Their addictive reggae, country rock and pop sensibilities have created a diverse songbook infested with ear worms, choruses and melodies that simply stay with you. It’s this divine set of influences that make this band so much fun. Pop rock is probably the best way to describe the band. Frontman Pat Monahan is a presence to be reckoned with, live he is effortless, engaging, versatile and simply a pleasure to watch and hear. Understated yet engaging. His voice is pure silk as he sang his way through tonight’s set of classics and mash ups, it also saw the band debut a new song “What If We Try”.
The rest of the members that make up Train, Hector Maldonado (Bass/Vocals), Jerry Becker (Keyboards/Guitar), Matt Musty (Drums) and Taylor Locke (Guitars/Vocals) are so tight and just deliver the musical melodies to perfection. For a relatively new line up the band is nothing short of electrifying, the harmonies and intricacies of the studio recordings were performed as if this was the band that wrote and recorded the catalogue from day one. It is rare for a band to be this on point sonically and musically. The harmonies were lush and pitch perfect. Having a catalogue that is nine albums deep Train have no shortage of songs and singles to pick to for a set and this tonight was a greatest hits showcase with a new song and two covers thrown in for good measure.
Tonight’s show was intended to be a seated show, but within seconds of the intro tape of a train approaching and the band taking to the stage everyone on the floor was on their feet and stayed there the entire set. Dancing, singing, having the time of their lives. It didn’t take long for the rest of John Cain Arena to follow suit. Train kicked off their set with “AM Gold” from their most recent album of the same name. Somehow missed this album but what a great song, “50 Ways To Say Goodbye” was the one that truly brought people to their feet leasing into the up-tempo rocker “If It’s Love” where Monahan had fans throw their phones to him as he would do a short video of him and his perspective on stage while performing. This was such a cool thing to witness, and the fans just lapped it up. What an incredible moment and capture for the fans. It was such a selfless thing he did here, and it want just one or two fans it had to be close to ten.
“Get To Me” showed the grittier side of the band as they came alive on stage. Guitarist Taylor Locke stepped to the front of the stage and delivered his solo in true showmanship style pulling all the right rockstar moves and shapes. What was so much fun about tonight’s set was the insertion of snippets of cover songs. The first to feature this was the breakthrough single “Meet Virginia” in which the band seamlessly transitioned into and out of Steve Miller Bands “The Joker”. Introducing “Meet Virginia” Monahan appeared in the limited-edition shirt of the same name. Armed with a pile of these shirts he began to throw them into the audience. First to the front but landing the last few in the seated sides of John Cain Arena, the final one of this pile being thrown at-least 3/4 of the length of the arena. That left just one shirt the one he was wearing, which he had signed by the band before launching it in the last moments of the song. “Save Me San Francisco” has always been a personal favourite from the band and it’s at this stage I’m finding myself like the rest of John Cain Arena singing along. Teasing at the opening vocal of “Hey, Soul Sister” Monohan tells us all we aren’t ready for it yet.
The surprise of the night would be the story of Monohan being a little star struck by the presence of an artist he saw in a San Francisco diner. This artist had the biggest song in the world at the time as Pat recalls he was too chicken to approach the singer. That singer was Gotye, and the song was “Somebody That I Used To Know”. This prompted Monohan to invite KT Tunstall to the stage to sing it with him. Tunstall and Monohan delivered in spades and Train may have just pulled off the ultimate version of this song. Keeping Tunstall on stage she sang the Ashley Monroe parts of “Bruises”, again another chillingly beautiful performance. Introducing new song “What If We Try” Monohan announces that they are working on a new album and have booked themselves to come back to Australia in 2027. Cheekily telling the audience we hope you like it, if you don’t sorry there are no refunds. Looking around the arena it was obvious this song had something. With so many phone lights in the air it connected in a way that perhaps even the band didn’t expect.
“Play That Song” is next and this is pure simple pop music that makes you feel good and has you involuntarily singing along. This is a perfect example of the ear worms I was talking about before. So much fun. It’s at this point in the show where you realise that Train are so clever and poetic in their lyrics. Making it more evident is the next trio of songs. You get pulled into stories; it hits emotions and stirs something inside of you. “Angel In Blue Jeans”, “Parachute” and “Marry Me” strike something inside me. Again, it’s songs like “Parachute” that bring a smile to my face, it’s a smile from the soul so to speak. “Calling All Angels” and “Long Yellow Dress” are fun filled songs that show just how versatile this band is stylistically.
With still a few of the obvious hits still to come we can’t have long left; and here it is the ride home, we have all buckled in for the hit express home. “Hey, Soul Sister” starts and John Cain Arena becomes a choir for the band. Damn it was loud, and it was sung so proudly. throwing in a verse and chorus from “Come & Your Love” for good measure, this is fun. My favourite single from the band has to be “Drive By” it’s pop/rock songwriting at its finest. Again, the ear worm that just sends you into sing-a-long autopilot. I’m in, all in by this stage and instantly recall every singing every word and line. Dropping in The Beatles “Hey Jude” for a verse and chorus just pushes everyone into overdrive and there is a love in the arena that is thick and touching. This really is the power of music connecting people. Claiming to not want to waste our time by exiting the stage only to reappear again Monohan lets us know this is where the encore begins. He thanks us for being the best crowd in his favourite place in Australia but also lets us know he said that at the last show and will use it again in Sydney as he did here tonight. Nothing like honesty and transparency. Given the love and feeling in the room, maybe there was just more than a hint of truth and heartfelt appreciation of all in attendance in that statement.
Expecting “Drops of Jupiter” we were served a curve ball in the form of a cover of The Eagles “Hotel California”. While it is possibly one of the most covered songs in the history of music, Train delivered a version that simply gave me chills. Monohan’s voice is perfect, the musicianship is spectacular and to make things even more incredible Monohan takes to the drums halfway through and plays out the song. If The Eagles ever feel the need to tour again Monohan is the perfect replacement for Don Henley if he can’t do it. Drummer Matt Musty picks up a third guitar as they drive this song home. I’m rarely blown away by covers, especially of this song, but tonight it was delivered as close to The Eagles as I have ever heard.
It wouldn’t be a complete show without the bands biggest hit “Drops Of Jupiter”. Now this is the song that unites every voice in John Cain Arena. It’s the perfect end to perfect set from the band. As they say time flies when you are having fun. Ninety minutes felt like forty-five and that’s the beauty of losing yourself in music. The energy and positive, feel good vibes coming from the stage had all ages engaged, there were kids dancing in the aisles, mates in arms, clusters of girlfriends singing and dancing together, this was a coming together in the pure joy and magic of music, it unites and takes you to a place that is hard to describe, but everything gets pushed aside once the music begins.
Bring on 2027 is all I can say. This is a show not to be missed.
Setlist : AM Gold, 50 Ways To Say Goodbye, If It’s Love, Get To Me, Meet Virginia/The Joker, Save Me San Francisco, Somebody That I Used To Know, Bruises, What If We Try, Play That Song, Angel In Blue Jeans, Parachute, Marry Me, Calling All Angels, Long Yellow Dress, Hey Soul Sister/Come & Get Your Love, Drive By/Hey Jude, Hotel California, Drops Of Jupiter
TRAIN GALLERY
With thanks to Destroy All LInes & Estellar PR for the media access.
Photo credits: Shot By Slaidins Photography
