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Train and Maroon 5 join forces

Train / Maroon 5
Bridgestone Arenap
Nashville, TN
August 17, 2011
Train
Train
Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Train
Train

Story and photos by Kate Seesholtz

A sold out crowd at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena were treated to performances by two of today's hottest acts. Train and Maroon 5 brought their joint tour to Music City Wednesday night, delivering hours of hits.

Maroon 5 was first to take the stage, getting the crowd dancing in their seats with "Moves like Jagger" and "Harder to Breathe." Lead singer Adam Levine rarely stopped moving as he slinked around the stage seducing the audience with every turn. With a lead singer like Levine, it can be hard to remember that this is a band, not a solo act. The other members of Maroon 5 made sure the audience never forgot that, with tearing solos and strong backing vocals. Other song highlights included the slower "I Won't Go Home Without You" and recent radio success "Never Gonna Leave This Bed." As the crowd demanded an encore, Maroon 5 returned to the stage to finish out with ÔHands All Over' and a crowd sing along of "She Will Be Loved."

Train started their portion of the evening with a mix of old favorites and new hits. The crowd heard ÔMeet Virginia" early in the set, as well as "If It's Love." Lead singer Pat Monahan encouraged the crowd to join him, saying "If you don't know the words, please, make some shit up." Train made sure to include the crowd throughout the show, even bringing a group of ladies, nicknamed Trainettes, up onstage to sing and dance during "She's on Fire." Taking a moment out for a costume change (the first of many for Monahan), the lead singer returned to belt out "Calling All Angels."

Train's cellist played a major role in the show, even given a solo moment to sing the chorus from Blondie's "Heart of Glass." As she floated down to the front of the stage in her long white dress to dance, Train began in on U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." At one point Monahan joined the woman in a ballroom style dance. The moment bordered on beautifully artistic and completely bizarre.

Nashville shows are never without surprises, and this concert was no different. Train shocked the crowd by bringing out country superstar Martina McBride to join them for an incredible rendition of McBride's "Broken Wing." The extreme power in their voices left the crowd speechless. Another heartfelt moment of the evening was during Train's song "Marry Me" in which the band brought onto stage a soldier that had lost his legs after finding an IED in Afghanistan. His wife and two young children stood by him in tears as they recalled the events and encouraged people to read their story of love at facebook.com/goteamallen.

The night closed out with "Hey Soul Sister" and an encore including "Drops of Jupiter" and the appropriate "This Ain't Goodbye." Train told the crowd they were going to be working on a new album and would return soon.

Related articles:

Train - Concert review - Nashville, TN March 2010
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (Train & Maroon 5) - Feature story - New York, NY - March 2010
Trai/ Brandi Carlile - Concert review - Chicago, IL April 2006

Train
Train
Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Train
Train
Train
Train
Train
Train
Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Train
Train

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