TRAIN & REO SPEEDWAGON w/ YACHT ROCK REVUE SUMMER ROAD TRIP TOUR 2024
@ RUOFF MUSIC CENTER, NOBLESVILLE (IN)
JULY 10, 2024
On July 10, a trio of awesome bands graced the stage at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, IN. Kicking off the show at 6:30 PM, Yacht Rock Revue, from Georgia, got the crowd buzzing, and boy, they delivered! This band of feel-good tunes belted out timeless love songs and rocked the house with classic hits from the 70s and 80s. Yacht Rock Revue set the scene by whisking the audience away to a world of yacht parties and smooth sailing. In the audience, you could spot folks sporting captain hats, affectionately known as “anchorheads”, demonstrating their love for this fantastic throwback cover band. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the genre or just looking for a good time, Yacht Rock Revue offers a memorable performance that captivates music enthusiasts of all ages.
The ultimate classic rock band, REO Speedwagon, was up next, causing a stir as they arrived late, leaving the audience feeling a tad antsy. In a sudden twist, Kevin Cronin, the frontman, dialed into the Q95 radio station, the event’s host. Over the concert speakers, he confessed to their tardiness, mentioning they had just rolled in and promptly hung up, signaling the band’s abrupt appearance on stage. Was it all a clever ploy, or did their bus truly hit a snag? Only the band can say for sure. But the crowd’s impatience quickly dissipated as Cronin launched into their beloved track, “Don’t Let Him Go”, from their chart-topping album Hi Infidelity. Cronin’s crew rocked a dozen all-time favorites, setting the stage on fire before Train seized the spotlight with a whopping 17 tunes. Among them were Train’s latest hit, “Long Yellow Dress”, and a cover rendition of “Lose Control”, a gem made famous by Teddy Swims.
Let me tell you, this last set was nothing short of a blast! Train made a big splash when Pat Monahan belted out “Calling All Angels”, and just like that, confetti cannons went off, showering the crowd in a colourful storm. It was quite the spectacle and set the tone for the rest of their performance. Monahan pumped up the crowd and got everyone involved by catching phones from the audience to snap pictures and record videos before playfully tossing them back while singing “Get To Me”. Adding to the fun during Train’s fun tune “Save Me, San Francisco”, the band enjoyed kicking beach balls of all sizes into the cheering crowd, including some as big as monster truck tires. The audience went crazy, eagerly keeping the balls afloat in the air as the song played on. After that, Monahan threw t-shirts to the crowd, showing off his athleticism during the song “All American Girl”.
The most intriguing parts of the show were when Monahan sang his own tunes and cleverly intertwined covers, like when he effortlessly fused “Soul Sister” with snippets of Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love”, which added to a show full of surprises.
Before Train said their goodbyes with the beloved crowd-pleaser “Drops Of Jupiter” to close the evening, Monahan had everyone in the vast audience raise their arms and join in by singing and swaying back and forth to a lively rendition of “Hey Jude”. It was a magical moment that will be etched in the memories of all who attended, capturing one of the many reasons thousands are drawn to this 2024 Summer Road Trip Tour.
(Photography by Tara Anderson)