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| Pat Monahan of Train @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - On a perfect evening in Mountain View, California, the 2024 Summer Road Trip Tour featuring Yacht Rock Revue, REO Speedwagon and Train had the ideal weather and backdrop to showcase their classic pop rock hits to an adoring crowd at the iconic Shoreline Amphitheater. The night kicked off at 6:30 PM with Yacht Rock Revue warming up the early arrivals with their smooth sounds for 45 minutes. As the sun began to set, anticipation built for REO Speedwagon's journey across their impressive 50-year, 16-album spanning career.
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| Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
At 7:45 PM, REO Speedwagon took the stage, immediately demonstrating why they remain a beloved act in the classic rock pantheon. The band, formed in 1967 and known for their chart-topping hits in the late '70s and '80s, delivered a well-crafted 75-minute set that showcased their extensive catalog and enduring musical prowess.
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| Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Opening with the energetic "Don't Let Him Go," the band quickly proved that time hasn't diminished their ability to captivate an audience. Kevin Cronin's vocals were notably strong, maintaining the distinctive quality that has been a crucial element of REO Speedwagon's sound for decades. Cronin's rhythm guitar work provided a solid foundation for the band's overall sound, while his between-song banter added a personal touch to the performance.
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| Matt Bissonette, Bryan Hitt, and Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Dave Amato's lead guitar work stood out throughout the night, adding depth and excitement to the band's performance. His solos were precise and emotive, particularly evident in songs like "Take It on the Run" and "Keep on Loving You." The interplay between Amato and Cronin's guitars created a dynamic sound that had the audience on their feet, air guitars in full swing.
Before launching into "I Wish You Were There," Cronin took a moment to introduce Amato, praising his 35-year tenure with the band. "If you will, direct your attention to my left, on lead guitar from Framingham, Massachusetts, Dave Amato," Cronin announced. He went on to describe Amato as the "Shred Master General," highlighting his versatility as a guitarist. The introduction set the stage for Amato's emotionally charged solo in "I Wish You Were There," a standout moment that had the crowd swaying in unison, cell phone lights creating a sea of stars across the amphitheater.
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| Matt Bissonette, Dave Amato, and Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The setlist was a well-balanced mix of high-energy rockers and heartfelt ballads. "Keep Pushin'" had the crowd singing along, while "Time for Me to Fly" showcased the band's ability to connect emotionally with the audience. The sound quality throughout the performance was crisp and well-balanced, allowing each instrument to shine without overpowering the others.
In a touching moment, Cronin shared the story behind "Music Man," explaining that it was the song that landed him the gig as lead singer of REO Speedwagon back in 1972. This personal anecdote added depth to the performance, giving fans insight into the band's history and Cronin's journey as a songwriter.
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| Dave Amato and Matt Bissonette of REO Speedwagon (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
One of the night's highlights came with the introduction of the band's new bassist, Matt Bissonette, filling in for Bruce Hall who was out due to back surgery. Cronin humorously introduced Bissonette as the band's resident meteorologist, leading to a light-hearted exchange about the perfect weather conditions for rock and roll. This segued seamlessly into a powerful rendition of "Son of a Poor Man," with Bissonette's bass lines driving the rhythm section.
The band's versatility was on full display as they transitioned between upbeat rockers and more introspective ballads. Before "Can't Fight This Feeling" a video retrospective of their appearance at Live Aid 40 years ago -- and highlighted Kevin Cronin's full perm head of hair -- had the entire amphitheater nostalgic for the classic and another sing-along moment, while "Ridin' the Storm Out" showcased the band's rock credentials with Amato and Cronin trading impressive guitar licks.
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| Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As the set neared its end, the energy in the venue reached a fever pitch. The opening chords of "Roll With the Changes" elicited a roar from the crowd, with fans of all ages on their feet, dancing and singing along. The song's extended instrumental break allowed each band member to shine, culminating in a crescendo of sound that left the audience breathless.
REO Speedwagon closed their set with their mega-hit "Keep On Loving You." The power ballad's iconic opening piano riff, skillfully played by keyboardist Derek Hilland, had the crowd cheering before Cronin even began to sing. As the final notes faded, the band took their bows to thunderous applause.
Before departing the stage, Cronin left the audience with a tantalizing promise: "The party's just getting started. There's a Train on the tracks coming your way!" The anticipation for Train's performance was palpable, but it was clear that REO Speedwagon had set the bar high for the night.
REO Speedwagon's performance at the Shoreline Amphitheater was a testament to their enduring appeal and musical craftsmanship. The band's ability to recreate their classic sound while infusing it with fresh energy kept the audience engaged throughout the set. From sing-along ballads to hard-driving rock anthems, REO Speedwagon proved that after five decades, they still know how to deliver a memorable live experience. As the crowd filed out to prepare for Train's set, the buzz of excitement was unmistakable – the 2024 Summer Road Trip Tour was living up to its promise of a night filled with classic rock at its finest.
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| Pat Monahan of Train @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Unlike our local Caltrain, this Train arrived earlier than the 9:30 scheduled time. The Bay Area band took the stage to an energized crowd that had been up from their seats and dancing to classic pop hits during the intermission.
Pat Monahan, the sole original member of Train, demonstrated why he remains the heart and soul of the band. His powerful and emotive vocals were the centerpiece of their performance, particularly impressive on the opener "Calling All Angels" and the closing hit "Drops of Jupiter." Monahan's ability to maintain vocal quality across a range of styles was evident throughout their 75-minute set.
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| Pat Monahan of Train @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
But it wasn't just Monahan's vocal prowess that captivated the audience. He showed off his ability to connect with the crowd quite literally during their second song, "If It's Love," by spending the entire track taking selfies with fans in the front row! This personal touch added a unique and memorable element to the performance, showcasing Monahan's charisma and rapport with the audience.
The band's musical prowess was on full display, with each member contributing to Train's signature sound:
- Guitarist Taylor Locke provided solid support, his playing adding texture and depth to the band's sound. His solos, while not flashy, were well-constructed and served the songs effectively.
- Hector Maldonado's bass lines and Matt Musty's drumming created a tight, groove-oriented rhythm section that propelled songs like "Save Me, San Francisco" and "50 Ways to Say Goodbye."
- Jerry Becker's keyboard and additional guitar work added layers to Train's sound, particularly noticeable on ballads like "Marry Me," where his piano playing complemented Monahan's vocals nicely.
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| Pat Monahan of Train @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
However, perhaps the most surprising highlight of the night came from none other than Pat Monahan's son, Rock. The young Monahan joined the band for two cover choices, including Led Zeppelin's "Over the Hills and Far Away" and the Eagles' "Hotel California" (the latter performed with Yacht Rock Revue). Rock made it clear that he's inherited his father's vocal talents, blowing the audience away with his vocal strength. The crowd was on their feet cheering after the closing notes of "Over the Hills and Far Away." It's evident that Rock has a bright future in singing if that's where he chooses to go!
Train's ability to keep their older hits fresh was evident in their clever mashup of "Meet Virginia" with Steve Miller's "The Joker" -- which featured a guest appearance by REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin, much to the delight of the audience. Their performance of "Drops of Jupiter" as the closing number effectively demonstrated why it remains their signature song, with Becker's piano intro setting the stage for a strong vocal performance from Monahan.
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| Pat Monahan of Train @ Shoreline Amphitheater (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Throughout the night, both REO Speedwagon and Train demonstrated their enduring appeal and musical competence. While each band has a distinct sound and era they represent, both delivered polished, engaging performances that satisfied long-time fans while potentially winning over new ones.
REO Speedwagon's set was a journey through classic rock history, with Kevin Cronin's distinctive voice and the band's tight musicianship bringing their hits to life. Train, on the other hand, bridged the gap between '90s pop-rock and contemporary sounds, with Pat Monahan's powerful vocals and crowd interaction leading the way.
The interaction between the bands, particularly Kevin Cronin's appearance during Train's set, added an extra layer of excitement to the evening. It highlighted the camaraderie among the artists and the seamless flow of the entire show.
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