Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Linda Lee Leigh on August 16, 2012 at 11:00pm

Long time fan that happens to love the old and new Train.  Glad there is actually music on the radio that I can listen to with my kids instead of all the sexual innuendos and swear words in the majority of the music out there.  This gal is not jumping off the Train bandwagon!!!  I agree... why go to the concerts if you feel that way.... save the tickets for the fans that will truly enjoy the show.  Live and love every day!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Donna Brock on August 17, 2012 at 12:09pm

Kathy, I was at the Cincy show also. It was fantastic! I had my husband and two daughters with me ages 14 and 7. My husband is not a Train fan at all(although for the life of me I don't understand that!) but he had a very enjoyable time. My girls are into Justin Beiber of course but it was great to watch them singing and dancing right along with Pat! I have seen hundreds of concerts in my life and I can honestly say that Train was one of the very best. They made me feel like we were old friends! I can't wait to see them again. But next time I will get the meet and greet tickets. I love them all but I have a real bug soft spot for Jimmy! He's adorable:)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Liz on August 19, 2012 at 6:58am

I'm  a new fan of Train and I'm not sayinging that the "old" albums weren't great but I love them for their current stuff [and I'm a lot older than eleven]. We all evolve and change as we age and nothing stays the same, you may not like it but that's life. My husband and I went to our first concert in Melbourne [Australia] this year and we can't wait for the next one. You may see them as mainstream but the fact is that people enjoy what they enjoy and we certainly enjoy!! We like the light hearted and fun lyrics and happen to love the fact that they include everyone in their concerts. I don't see it as commercial but as people who are comfortable with who they are and where they are in life and are having a good time. I'm sorry that the concerts are not selling out in America - come back to Australia and we'll be there! 

New England Guy said:

You are right, Jeff, the SF shows were for the old time fans. (thanks for the bone) and the summer tour is for the new fans who are mostly interested in the last two albums.  I hope the guys from Train see these posts and that it gives them a much needed reality check.  

Jeff said:

Unfortunately, I'm another one that has to agree with New England Guy. I don't dislike the new album, but it definitely doesn't have the depth of the older albums. I still see Train every time when they come to town, but in the past I used to travel to 3-5 other cities a tour to see them because their shows were so great. The shows on the few last tours just didn't seem to have the energy of the old shows. 

I'm hoping for the best on the current tour that officially starts tomorrow. We'll have to see what the setlists will be. (If you're going to a show this tour, please give us a quick review and a setlist if you can remember it) I was lucky enough to see four of the San Francisco Tour shows and totally enjoyed them. I was blown away by them. The San Francisco Tour was the old Train again! Every show was a completely new and different setlist. Every show was unique. They featured lots of old songs that we haven't heard in years mixed in with the new stuff. This is what all of their shows used to be. I used to see them multiple nights because they would put on thoroughly entertaining show that were different every night. I'm afraid the current tour will be the same setlist every night focusing mainly on the last two albums. I agree with New England Guy that they are losing their core base of old fans. The problem with being a pop act VS a great rock band is that most pop acts usually they peak fast and then die fast. Great rock bands that write great songs with real lyrics have staying power. Let's hope that Train ends up being the later.        

     

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Leslie Girard on August 19, 2012 at 9:18am

While Mohegan Sun Arena is not showing "Sold Out", you could not purchase 2 seats together months ago, and the single seats that are available are generally obstructed view.  I think "Sold Out" is a matter of semantics - as far as I'm concerned if I can't get two seats together that's a sold out show.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cyndi Young on August 19, 2012 at 10:29am

Well, honestly, last night was the first Train concert I've been to and I took my 15-yr-old daughter and her bestie.  They had an AMAZING time!  I truly haven't had this much fun at a concert in years!  Andy Grammer was good (if you listen to Sirius Hits 1 you know him and Mat).  Mat Kearney was so much fun and worked the whole place!  I've know about Train forever but being a mom, and having a jerk for a husband, took most of my time and money.  We had such a great time and we can't wait to go again.  Yup, I'm saving up for Meet & Greets for us.  Bands get stale if you don't allow them to evolve.  There's nothing wrong with "everything is groovy".  Some of us could use some "groovy" in our lives!  I'm glad Pat's not "tortured" anymore.  Maybe it's time we ALL get to have some FUN!  Isn't the world around us stressful enough?  It was great to have FUN and escape for almost 4 hours last night in Philly!  Thanks go Jimmy, Scott and Pat for an amazing time!!!  Now to unload all the stuff my kid bought. LOL

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kenny King on August 19, 2012 at 10:41pm

Been reading through the dicussion forum and must say I'm impressed by the passion on all sides of the debate.  All due respect to the doubters, I would offer that without the band's evolution, we probably wouldn't even be having this exchange.  Here's what I mean:

As a long-time fan from the first album, I enjoyed hearing Free, then Meet Virginia hit rock radio. I was thrilled when Drops Of Jupiter (the album and the song) and subsequently My Private Nation (and the Calling All Angels single) topped the charts.  To this day, I still count Blind, I Am, I Wish You Would, Hopeless, Respect and I'm About To Come Alive among my favorite Train tracks (no pun intended). 

As much as I enjoyed the rise, I was saddened by the slippage that was evident on For Me, It's You and which played out for a handful of years afterwards.  With only one memorable song (Cab), the latter album was the start of the fall Trainiacs feared.  The old energy and spark were lacking.  And not just because Rob and then Charlie had departed.  Clearly, the band needed a break; needed time and space to renergize, reload and redirect itself if it was going to go on.  It was that or pack it in.  Many rock critics and fair-weather fans had all but given them up for dead...  

So to "New England Guy" amd some others, I ask that you consider this: were it not for the rebirth that Save Me, San Francisco provided (and which continues with California 37), there would be no Train today.  Change is good and change was surely needed.  Change revitalized the band we all admire.  It may not have been the sound of old but it blended the roots of what Train has always been with a contemporary vigor to deliver a fresh new style like no other band out there.  When you hear Train on the radio today, you instantly know it's Train.  So, now, along with the early tracks, I also count Parachute, Words, Bruises, Drive By and Save Me San Francisco among my favorites.  

Over the past two years, I've been fortunate enough to see seven Train concerts: three on the VH1 Best Cruise Ever last April-May; one at the Wine Amplified Fest in Las Vegas last September; the two first nights of the California 37 North American Tour in Montreal (home) and Toronto; and finally on Saturday August 11 at a sold-out Ravinia Park in Chicago (they actually sold out two nights at 18,000 per).  All seven shows were terrific. I'd much rather see a strong, driven Train, relevant and reinvigorated, connecting with wide-ranging audiences on all levels via set lists dominated by the last two albums, over what could have become a tired, stagnant Train, struggling to pull out of the station (OK, pun intended this time). 

My wife and I are both 51 and we must say it's fun to see crowds of all ages (pre-teens, teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s & 60s+) enjoying our favorite band with us. Next Saturday, we can't wait to see them again, this time in Essex, Vermont.  I know it's gonna be another great show.  And, yeah, I can't wait for that last "Tonight" of Hey Soul Sister as they launch into Fun's We Are Young.  Anyone who's been there knows, it just plain works, and works brilliantly.  They leave fans thrilled and wanting more every time.  What more could we ask from Train?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Respect to all & don't stop believin'!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mahita Vas on August 19, 2012 at 11:06pm

Excellent post, Kenny. I totally agree, especially with the extracts below. Most of the discussion on this thread has been lively and passionate. Still, it is so good to read a post like yours, written in the spirit of appreciation for what Train gives us. It says what many new fans have said in earlier posts, but you've put it in a way that does not sound aggressive or defensive. Just truthful and sincere. Nice :-)

Enjoy the rest of your concerts!

Kenny King said:

... I ask that you consider this: were it not for the rebirth that Save Me, San Francisco provided (and which continues with California 37), there would be no Train today.  Change is good and change was surely needed.  Change revitalized the band we all admire.  It may not have been the sound of old but it blended the roots of what Train has always been with a contemporary vigor to deliver a fresh new sound like no other band out there.  When you hear Train on the radio today, you instantly know it's Train.  So, now, along with the early tracks, I also count Parachute, Words, Bruises, Drive By and Save Me San Francisco among my favorites ...

My wife and I are both 51 and we must say it's fun to see crowds of all ages (pre-teens, teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s & 60s+) enjoying our favorite band with us. Next Saturday, we can't wait to see them again, this time in Essex, Vermont.  I know it's gonna be another great show.  And, yeah, I can't wait for that last "Tonight" of Hey Soul Sister as they launch into Fun's We Are Young.  Anyone who's been there knows, it just plain works, and works brilliantly.  They leave fans thrilled and wanting more every time.  What more could we ask from Train?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Respect to all & don't stop believin'!

KK

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Patrick on August 27, 2012 at 3:59pm

As of Monday afternoon they show at Tanglewood still has 1,672 of unsold shed seats including almost full sections of unsold seats in the back corners areas. This is means right now 38% of seats are unsold.  Part of it could be it is the start of the holiday weekend and the last weekend of the summer in the area so people are often away.  I'd imagine the lawn tickets have sold very well though.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by jacquie sabella on August 28, 2012 at 8:47pm

 I don't agree with New England guy!!!! I've had a horrible 18 months, a difficult divorce and 4 family deaths. Train has carried me thru these very sad and heartbreaking  times,and i am not a soccer mom. When you attack Train, you're also attacking the millions of fans that have that connection. What ever happened to being kind and good to each other? If you really feel this way then ......MOVE ON!!!!!! You're not a loyal fan.

BTW: Maroon 5 is no where as good as Train. Perhaps some empty seats are reflective of the bad economy, people are losing their homes,don't think they have a disposable income at this time to enjoy a great concert.

  Jacquie from Ct.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Hannah King on August 28, 2012 at 9:34pm

I agree with you completely and I hope things will start going better for you.

jacquie sabella said:

 I don't agree with New England guy!!!! I've had a horrible 18 months, a difficult divorce and 4 family deaths. Train has carried me thru these very sad and heartbreaking  times,and i am not a soccer mom. When you attack Train, you're also attacking the millions of fans that have that connection. What ever happened to being kind and good to each other? If you really feel this way then ......MOVE ON!!!!!! You're not a loyal fan.

BTW: Maroon 5 is no where as good as Train. Perhaps some empty seats are reflective of the bad economy, people are losing their homes,don't think they have a disposable income at this time to enjoy a great concert.

  Jacquie from Ct.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kenny King on August 29, 2012 at 1:03am

Regardless of the reasons for some shows not selling out -- whether it be the economy in a market or perhaps little advertising by the promoters -- the shows themselves are brilliant and incredibly uplifting.  I've been fortunate to attend four concerts on the California 37 tour and all were spectacular.  Montreal, Toronto and Essex Junction were not sold out but you could hardly tell based on the crowd's -- and Train's -- enthusiasm.  The fourth show we saw -- in Chicago -- was sold out (one of two events that drew 18,000 people per night at Ravinia).  To the band's credit, they're not letting some unsold seats detract from their performances.  They've delivering every night regardless.  If they're not letting it affect them, why should we?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mahita Vas on August 29, 2012 at 1:16am

Great post, Kenny. In particular, I believe the two sentences below deserve an encore.

While I, too, was curious about the concerts, I feel it really doesn't matter as long as those who went had a great time and it sounds like everyone did.

Kenny King said:

They've delivering every night regardless.  If they're not letting it affect them, why should we?

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next ›
• Page