There’s something magical about a summer gig in Dublin, especially when the rain almost shows up but decides to let the music do the talking instead. Train took over Iveagh Gardens on Monday night and gave us a feel-good, high-energy show that blended nostalgia, crowd interaction, and timeless pop rock charm.
From the moment Pat Monahan stepped on stage, the connection with the crowd was instant. Phones were thrown (literally!) and Pat didn’t miss a beat! Recording videos and selfies mid-song with fans’ phones like it was all part of the setlist. He even threw out free merch, including a shirt he put on, had signed by the entire band, and then launched into the crowd, a simple but unforgettable gesture that had everyone buzzing.
The set was packed with crowd favorites. “Drops of Jupiter” and “Hey, Soul Sister” were obvious highlights, with every lyric sung back word for word by an audience that clearly came ready to celebrate. Their mashups and covers added a special spark — “Drive By” melted perfectly into The Beatles’ “Hey Jude”, and the entire park swayed and sang in unison, arms waving in the soft Dublin dusk.
They surprised us with a mix of covers and mashups that somehow felt effortless: Led Zeppelin’s “Over the Hills and Far Away”, a dreamy take on “Long Yellow Dress” blended with Hozier’s “Too Sweet”, and soulful renditions of Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” and “Hotel California” by The Eagles. Each one landed beautifully, reminding us just how versatile and musically tight this band really is.
It wasn’t just a concert, it felt like a shared memory being created in real time. Pat and the band gave everything, and Dublin gave it right back.
Matt Hansen photos:
Train photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Calling All Angels
If It’s Love
Get to Me
Meet Virginia (with “The Joker” by Steve Miller Bnad)
Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zeppelin cover)
Save Me, San Francisco
Play That Song
Long Yellow Dress (with “Too Sweet” by Hozier)
Lose Control (Teddy Swims cover)
Marry Me
50 Ways to Say Goodbye
Bruises
Brokenhearted
Hey, Soul Sister (with “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbon)
Drive By (with “Hey Jude” by the Beatles outro tag)
This’ll Be My Year
Hotel California (Eagles cover)
Drops of Jupiter
Photos & words – Erica Keogh @ericasnapz