Train’s Drops of Jupiter Tour: Confetti and Choruses
Words by Liz Wyatt
Pictures by Steve Satzberg
Train recently headlined a stacked summer bill at Merriweather Post Pavilion for their Drops of Jupiter Tour, with Matt Nathanson and Barenaked Ladies setting an energetic, good-humored tone that perfectly prepared the audience for the main event.
Through the smoky haze that hung over Merriweather Post Pavilion, Matt Nathanson opened the evening on July 17 with an optimistic promise to massage the crowd into a frenzy. He kicked things off with “Giants,” reminding us that “we’re more than what we’re afraid of.” As fans continued streaming into the venue, he rolled through favorites including “American Pie,” inviting the audience to belt out the soaring refrain, “You think you’re so prettttyyyyeee.” Soon everyone was happily singing “sunshiiine” together before Nathanson delivered the tender lyric, “Hold me down hard and drown me in love.” It was an upbeat, heartfelt start to a night that would only grow bigger.
Barenaked Ladies followed with the kind of joyful, self-aware performance they’ve perfected over decades. Their bright claymation video backdrop gave “The Old Apartment” extra charm before the band jokingly confessed to having started the Canadian wildfires because they “needed the publicity.” It was classic Barenaked Ladies humor.
The band delivered an energetic cover of Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime” (“Letting the days go by…”) before inviting the audience to sing along to “Gonna walk, won’t quit, till I get to the bottom of your heart.” Animated visuals returned for “Big Backyard,” followed by “One Week,” the familiar “Big Bang” introduction, and a delightfully silly mashup that ended with a playful rendition of “Auf Wiedersehen” from The Sound of Music.
Watch the official music video for One Week by Barenaked Ladies on YouTube:
Just when the evening seemed as lighthearted as possible, fiery visuals erupted across the screens as AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” came roaring through the speakers. The entire pavilion jumped to its feet, raising their arms and shouting, “We’re on a highway to hell!” In true Barenaked Ladies fashion, they couldn’t resist sneaking lines from Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch” into the middle of the mayhem, drawing even more laughter from an already delighted crowd.
The set closed on a warm note with “Loving Life” and its simple reminder: “Find a way to love life and it will love you back.” As opening acts go, Barenaked Ladies delivered about as much fun as anyone could hope for. They had the audience completely energized before Train ever took the stage.
After what felt like an extended setup behind a massive black curtain emblazoned with the band’s logo, silhouettes of the musicians appeared in dramatic lighting. The curtain finally dropped as flames filled the video screens and Pat Monahan launched into “She’s on Fire.” Confetti cannons exploded overhead, sending colorful ribbons drifting through the smoky night.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came almost immediately. Fans tossed their phones onto the stage, and Monahan calmly picked up each one, snapping selfies of himself with the crowd without missing a lyric or losing the rhythm. It perfectly captured the connection he has built with his audience over the years. When he sang, “I’m not in it to win it, I’m in it for you,” it felt entirely believable.
The mood softened for the beautiful “Something More” before Train slipped into a spirited cover of John Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane.” Then came one of the night’s funniest surprises as the keyboardist rode across the stage on a pink hobby horse during a mashup with Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” before seamlessly returning to “Jack and Diane.”
“Calling All Angels” brought everyone back to their feet, voices echoing throughout the pavilion as thousands sang, “I won’t give up if you won’t give up,” followed by the soaring chorus, “I’m calling all you angels.” It was one of the evening’s emotional high points.
“Meet Virginia” turned into another celebration as Monahan tossed T-shirts into the audience. For the final giveaway, he had each member of the band autograph the shirt before Barenaked Ladies returned to join Train for a playful mashup of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Meet Virginia.” The lucky fan who caught the signed shirt went home with a memorable souvenir.
Watch the official music video for “Meet Virginia” by Train on YouTube:
Train also previewed a recently released single from its upcoming album, due Aug. 8, before returning to one of the band’s defining records with “She’s the One,” featuring the lyric, “Come on Mississippi, midnight moonshine…” Guest guitarist Butch Walker, joining the tour, unleashed a blistering solo that drew audible gasps from the audience.
“Marry Me” became even more memorable when it inspired a marriage proposal, prompting cheers throughout the pavilion. Later, Monahan welcomed his 14-year-old son to the stage, where he traded guitar lines with Walker while his proud father happily settled behind the drum kit, letting the younger musician enjoy the spotlight.
Then came the beach balls—enormous inflatable spheres bouncing across the pavilion as Train performed “Bruises” and its comforting reminder that “Everybody loses, we’ve all got bruises.” More confetti drifted overhead, floating gently through the air beneath the venue’s massive ceiling fans.
The celebration continued with “Hey Soul Sister,” “Drive By,” and an audience-wide singalong to “Hey Jude,” complete with thousands of joyful “na-na-na”s.
There was only one way the night could end. As Train launched into “Drops of Jupiter,” the crowd sang every word back to the band, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the album that transformed the group into one of modern rock’s enduring success stories.
After an evening filled with humor, warmth, singalongs, confetti, surprise guests, and genuine fan connection, Train reminded everyone why these songs continue to resonate a quarter-century later. Here’s hoping the next 25 years are just as memorable.
Here are some photos of Train performing live at Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 17, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photos of Barenaked Ladies performing live at Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 17, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photos of Matt Nathanson performing live at Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 17, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
