03 May Train’s Reign

Photo by Chris Salata

Just after 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, the lights on the Ford Stage dimmed and the unmistakable whistle of a steam-powered locomotive rang out above the Intracoastal. As the sound of chugging steel wheels quickened, so did the screams from the crowd. Train had arrived at SunFest.

Stepping into view, lead singer Pat Monahan immediately launched into “50 Ways To Say Goodbye,” one of the band’s more recent singles. Dressed comfortably in jeans and a zip-up, Monahan joked that the crowd couldn’t “take up all the rain” and that he would have to join them soon.

During the next two songs (“If It’s Love” and “Get To Me”) Monahan gave photographers and fans lots of love. Stepping off the stage, the endlessly charming singer leaned against the “Reserved Seating” rail to the delight of those before him. He is known for turning cellphones and cameras on himself, to give fans “selfies” that will undoubtedly hang framed in their bedrooms for years to come. He did this constantly throughout the night, often endearingly adding, “Thank you so much for the picture.”

The band, complete with a trumpet and two darling back up singers, wasted no time playing the songs fans love most. They broke into their 1998 hit “Meet Virginia” after only four songs.

“Does anyone remember this song?” Monahan teased.

Leading into their track “I Got You” Train sampled the Doobie Brothers’ “Black Water.” If the crowd wasn’t completely ecstatic at this point, they were now over the rainbow, moon and definitely Jupiter.

Train continued to do this throughout their set, singing Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved?” (with Monahan on a saxaphone!) and transitioning from “Hey Soul Sister” into Fun.’s “We Are Young.” There was even a cover of “Everyday People” from Sly and the Family Stone added in the mix. I have such admiration for bands that love playing their own music, as well as songs from other artists. It’s classy, I tell you.

After “Calling All Angels” and “Save Me, San Francisco,” the band invited the crowd’s “little mermaids” to join them on stage. Train has a delightful habit of bringing ladies on stage to sing and dance during a show. In a blink, a line of adorable children and teens stood behind the singer and swayed as he serenaded the crowd with “Mermaid.”

Photo by Chris Salata

“You’re all Palm Beach mermaids,” the lead singer said. (He also added earlier that we are “the most beautiful women in the world.”) Train doesn’t need to flatter and flirt with the crowd, but they do. They do and we love it.

Monahan kept the romantic vibe going by stepping down into the crowd and singing the painfully romantic “Marry Me.” The lyric “You wear white and I’ll wear out the words I love you” brought every romantic heart close to tears. What is it about that song that heals our hearts? It’s beautiful.

The band ended their set with “Drops of Jupiter” before graciously thanking the crowd and kissing the second day of SunFest goodnight.