This night has a firm place in my memory banks as one of the amazing shows I have seen in my lifetime, let alone having the opportunity to cover the show. This was a night of classic rock cover songs, classic rock, and just great rock!
Kicking off the night was Yacht Rock Revue from Atlanta Georgia. Bringing energy to the stage with classic covers from the 70’s and 80’s from artist’s like, Steely Dan, Hall and Oates and Kenny Logins. It didn’t take much for the crowd to start singing and moving along with the band as they moved through their set. With solid musicianship and great classical song covers, Yacht Rock Revue set the tone for a fun energetic night of music.
Yacht Rock Revue members:
Nicholas Niespodziani: Vocals, guitars, keyboards, and percussion
Peter Olson: Vocals, guitars, keyboards, and percussion
Greg Lee: Bass and vocals
Mark Dannells: Guitars and vocals
Mark Bencuya: Keyboards and vocals
David B. Freeman: Saxophones, keyboards, flute, piccolo, percussion, and vocals
Keisha Jackson: Vocals and percussion
Kourtney Jackson: Vocals and percussion
Ganesh Giri Jaya: Drums
Setlist:
Escape (The Piña Colada Song)
Peg @Cover
You Make Loving Fun @Cover
Heart to Heart @Cover
Brandy @Cover
Tropical Illusion
Africa @Cover
Baker Street @Cover
More Than a Feeling @Cover
The stage was set for REO Speedwagon, with a large video screen in the back of the stage, began with a recording from a radio station from back in the 80’s playing the top hits of the time. Along with pictures of the bands they played and showing the top 10 hits at the time. This went on for about 10 minutes and got the crowd moving and dancing. REO had not even taken the stage yet and the energy from the crowd was electric.
As REO came onto the stage, the ladies that now covered the barrier were screaming and waving in excitement as the band members took their places. I didn’t see anyone exposing anything buuut then again, I was busy. REO opened their set with, “Don’t Let Him Go” and right away their energy just flowed from the stage and they are not spring chickens anymore. They moved about the stage interacting with each other and the crowd as they moved through their set with classic’s like, “Take it on the Run”, “Live Every Moment”, and "Can't Fight This Feeling”.
The large video screen in the back was constantly changing with various images that only add to the lighting and the atmosphere on stage. It was such a pleasure to experience a band that has been around for decades and can still captivate a crowd. REO Speedwagon closed out their set with, “Keep On Loving You” and “Roll With the Changes”. REO took their bows to a cheering, screaming crowd who were thanking them for an amazing night!
REO Speedwagon members:
Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, keyboards (1972–1973, 1976–present)
Bruce Hall – bass, vocals (1977–present; songwriter 1974)
Dave Amato – lead guitar, vocals (1989–present)
Bryan Hitt – drums, percussion (1990–present)
Derek Hilland – keyboards, organ, piano, synthesizer, backing vocals (2023–present; touring)
Setlist:
Don't Let Him Go
Take It on the Run
Keep Pushin'
Live Every Moment
Tough Guys
I Wish You Were There
Music Man
Can't Fight This Feeling
Son of a Poor Man
Time for Me to Fly
Ridin' the Storm Out
Keep On Loving You
Roll With the Changes
You could feel the energy from the crowd after the first two bands, well, hang on, there’s no end in sight for it. Train hit the stage running and started their set with “Calling All Angels” and frontman Pat Monahan’s voice rang out over Fiddlers Green. If there is one thing Pat Monahan and Train do so well, it’s engaging the crowd and making them feel as part of the band. They had the crowd singing along in between the screaming and cheering as Train moved through their set with “Get to Me”, “Meet Virginia / The Joker” and “Marry Me”.
It wasn’t long before the cell phones flew over my head to Pat on stage and he would take selfies with himself and the crowd then returned them. (see photo gallery) One lucky person who threw their phone up to him watched as Pat moved around the stage singing the whole time and included other band members in a video. This was my second time covering Train and to watch how the band members engage the crowd and the response from their fans in return is something to witness. Train closed out their night with a cover of “Hotel California” and “Drops of Jupiter”.
What an amazing night of music by all the bands. There are still a number of shows left on the is tour, I highly recommend seeing this tour. It was a great pleasure for me to cover it.
Train members:
Pat Monahan – lead vocals, percussion (1994–2006, 2009–present), drums (1994)
Jerry Becker – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)
Hector Maldonado – bass, backing vocals (2009–present)
Matt Musty - drums, percussion (2019–present)
Taylor Locke – lead guitar, backing vocals (2021–present
Setlist:
Calling All Angels
If It's Love
Get to Me
Save Me, San Francisco
Meet Virginia / The Joker
Lose Control @Cover
Play That Song
50 Ways to Say Goodbye
Marry Me
Seven Bridges Road / Bruises
Hey, Soul Sister / Come and Get Your Love
Drive By / Hey Jude
Hotel California @With @Cover
Drops of Jupiter
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