Train lead vocalist Patrick Monahan performs at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
We ‘nearly’ saw the Aurora Borealis last week in Birmingham, we ‘almost’ got a clear view of the Solar Eclipse, but finally it was time for a proper spectacle. We got Drops of Jupiter instead as Train pulled into town and to put on a stellar performance.
Those lucky enough to be at the Barclaycard Arena last night were not disappointed. Train must be a Marmite thing as people seem to absolutely love them or they’re asking “Who?”
Well, last night you could have chosen to go to the O2 Academy to see Nile Rogers perform his massive repertoire of hits with Chic or alternatively you could choose to see one of the coolest bands in the world singing their hits. No disrespect to Nile Rogers but there was only one place I was going to be last night, having missed the opportunity to see Train when they last came to the UK in 2012 I was one of the first people through the doors of the Arena.
Musician Natasha North was supporting Train at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Rising star Natasha North plays some acoustic melodies in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Firstly, we were treated to some gorgeous singing by the very sweet Natasha North. It was such a shame she chose to stand behind a double microphone that mostly hid her beautiful smile.
We can forgive her though, as she’s obviously very talented. Perhaps she was a little overawed by the vast auditorium but I’m sure that by the time she’s done a few more of these Arenas she’ll be fabulously confident.
The Magic Moments then performed a brilliant set, dark and moody, eerily lit in shades of blue before Train took to the stage bang on time. Non of the “fashionably late” that is often the case these days.
English pop rock band The Magic Numbers were also supporting Train at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Four-piece The Magic Numbers comprises of two pairs of brothers and sisters (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Early into the set Pat Monahan almost apologized as they began to sing “Meet Virginia”, apparently thinking that the song was “not that popular” explaining that they as a band loved performing it …… how wrong he was and the crowd lapped it up “they really wanted to live this life !!!”
The tone was set for the rest of the night’s entertainment with both the standing and seated audience singing, dancing, clapping and whistling. In fact, they were having so much fun that Pat took charge of a video camera to film the particularly exuberant fans and tease them as their images hit the big screen for all to see.
Meet Virgina was followed by the ever popular Free and you could almost haer the penny drop as the neutrals in the audience suddenly realised that they did indeed know some of the bands songs (but hadn’t known). Cue quick searches on i-tunes as people began to search for other “Train tracks” that they could download to listen to on their journey home.
A couple of songs later and Calling All Angels was being belted across the auditorium accompanied by a brilliant light and laser show …….. there was no need to ask for a sign, Pat, as the delirious audience pulled out their phones and the depths of the fabulous Barclaycard Arena were lit up by 1,000’s of lights outshining the laser show coming from the stage.
Soon a large number of fans were treated to freebies as Train t-shirts were thrown into the audience causing light-hearted scrambles as fans tried to get hold of a t-shirt that Pat had actually touched (swoon) When one t-shirt sailed over the crowd and nearly took out the guy on the mixing desk we were beginning to wonder if American Football could come calling for Pat and then the t-shirt climax came when he took off his top, signed it, got the rest of the band to sign it and threw this treasure into the crowd. Brilliant.
Patrick Monahan, lead singer of Train, performs hit songs for the crowds in Birmingham (Photograph: Anthony Stanley)
Save me, San Francisco predictably was very popular and when Marry Me began to play I fully expected yet another cheesy “un-expected proposal”, but thankfully not this time.
Instead it was “Bruises” that really brought it all home as a real treat for the front row fans when Pat Monahan left the stage to sing the entire song as he walked slowly along the pit-wall. Luckily there was a burly security guy to assist him, not for security reasons, no, these fans were never going to cause trouble, it was just that sometimes their eagerness to join in nearly knocked Pat over and the security guy had kept a firm hand in the centre of his back keeping him upright. Injury averted, phew.
The crowd-hugging opportunities had to end and a “lipstick stained” Pat rejoined the band on stage and began the rousing Hey Soul Sister. With Mister Mister playing the nearby o2 (oops, I mean Chic) the fans went delirious, once again belting out the words to a very un-marmite band.
With stage lights closing down following a stellar performance there was a “soul sister” rushing to leave the Arena. With supporting band The Magic Moments and the gorgeous Natasha North in tow, their wait (Weight) was well worth it as Train bounced back on stage to sing an old classic themselves Take a load off Annie was beautifully sung.
The ultimate crowd pleaser Drops of Jupiter cemented my decision not to go to see Chic. For diehard fans, this definitely outshone the recent Solar Eclipse.
I’m still wondering if Nile Rogers has given these guys a few tips, as they can sure put on a show.
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Anthony Stanley
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