Train w/ Barenaked Ladies & Matt Nathanson @ White River Amphitheatre – 8/30/26
Show Review by John Rudolph
Photos by John Rudolph & Charitie Myers

Train – photo by Charitie Myers

Train – photo by John Rudolph

Train put on such a great, impressive show, lighting up the White River Ampitheatre. The place was packed — every seat, every patch of lawn — and from the moment singer Pat Monahan walked out, the whole venue was locked in.

Matt Nathanson kicked things off, and he was fantastic. He has that perfect mix of humor, charm, and real vocal talent. He joked with the crowd, got everyone laughing, and then hit them with those emotional, soaring choruses he’s known for. His set was fun, heartfelt, with just enough energy to get the whole place buzzing.

Then Barenaked Ladies came out and absolutely delivered. They’re one of those bands that just radiate joy. Their harmonies were tight, their banter was hilarious, and they played with this infectious energy that made the entire amphitheatre feel lighter. When they launched into their big hits, the crowd went wild. They’re the kind of band that reminds you how fun live music can be.

By the time Train took the stage, the crowd was already fired up — and Train took that energy and ran with it. Pat sounded fantastic. His voice was strong and clean, and he had that easy confidence that comes from a professional. Every time he started a familiar riff, thousands of people screamed like they’d been waiting all year for that exact moment.

They rolled through the hits — “Drops of Jupiter,” “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Meet Virginia” — and the entire amphitheatre sang every word. It felt like one big choir under the summer sky.

Later in the show, Monahan mentioned how loud White River can get, and the crowd absolutely took that challenge personally. When he asked everyone to scream the chorus of “Calling All Angels,” the place erupted. You could feel the sound vibrating through the seats and up the hill. It was one of those moments where you realize just how powerful a crowd can be when everyone is locked into the same song.

The stage setup was clever — bright lighting, a rotating platform that gave everyone a good view, and a layout that let Monahan and the band move around and interact with fans. It wasn’t over the top; it was just smart and fun, perfect for a summer night.

White River traffic was… well, White River traffic. But once you were inside, Train, Barenaked Ladies, and Matt Nathanson made the whole headache worth it. You walked out smiling, hoarse from singing, and already talking about how good it felt to be there.

Train – photos by John Rudolph

Train – photos by Charitie Myers

Barenaked Ladies – photos by Charitie Myers

Barenaked Ladies – photos by John Rudolph

Matt Nathanson – photos by John Rudolph

Matt Nathanson – photos by Charitie Myers