Live Review: Train in Perth, Western Australia 2025
18 May 2025, at the Red Hill Auditorium Perth Western Australia
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
Na…na, na, na-na, na, na, na-na Hey Jude Na…na, na, na-na, na, na, na-na…Hey Jude….Thank you, Perth.
The crowd sways their arms to the sonic cadence of the most recognisable non-lexical vocables ever to reverberate across stadiums, arenas, and auditoriums across the world. Thousands of fans sing in unity. Phone lights are dancing, illuminating the amphitheater and casting a glow reminiscent of nocturnal creatures peering from the wooded perimeter of this isolated venue. Though this scene could easily belong to a Paul McCartney concert, the same energy casts through the crowd at a Train performance, as the San Franciscan band pays homage to The Beatles like we saw at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The celebratory scene is one of the many memorable moments, marking the beginning of the Australian/New Zealand tour of 2025, which kicks off in Perth tonight.
Welcome to The Red Hill Auditorium, sitting high on a hill surrounded by John Forest National Park, 30 km northeast of the most isolated city in the world.
The evening begins with Jason Wade at 5:30 pm as the sun kisses the horizon. “I was part of the L.A. band Lifehouse. We were huge back then.” Indeed, they were. Despite performing with an acoustic set and accompanied only by a solitary guitarist, it’s a refreshing spark. Sporting a heavy beard and a hat, he’s no longer the clean-shaven lead vocalist of the 00s. The 6-track series ignites with “Somewhere in Between,” followed by “The Likes of You and Me,” before concluding his night with the worldwide hit “Hanging by a Moment.”
The night continues with KT Tunstall. The pace quickens through the guitar and drums, bordering on indie rock with a touch of Joan Jett’s vibe through the two-piece ensemble. There are moments when her accompanying drummer scintillates his instrument like Dave Grohl during his Nirvana days, taking her fans on an undulating ride, while Tunstall weaves between the vibes of Nashville and Woodstock. The seven-track setlist includes “I Am The Pilot” and “Dear Shadow,” before ending her night with the smash hit “Suddenly I See.” The crowd rises to a standing ovation.
After a 23-minute break at 7:23 pm, the whistles and the churn of the moving train can be heard. All aboard now! The bullet train is ahead of schedule by seven minutes. One by one, the band members grace the stage in the dark, followed by the lead vocalist, Pat Monahan, the surviving member of the iconic group from San Francisco. The cheers from the crowd are deafening. First stop, “Calling All Angels,” followed by “If It’s Love” and “Get To Me.”
With a flick of a switch, we are transported to our university and college years, the Friday and Saturday night clubbing shenanigans. The sentiments of the last millennium pour as we are drenched by the nostalgic rain under the cloudless sky in this open-air auditorium.
His vocals remain as they were in the 90s and the millennium – soulful with a raspy edge that adds emotional connectivity to the lyrics of their music. The band members may not be the original cast, but Taylor Locke on lead guitar, Matt Musty on drums, Hector Maldonado on bass guitar, and Jerry Becker on keyboards and rhythm guitar fit into the band seamlessly. The rhythm section of Train is like the connecting rod of a train, keeping the band in sync with each member, an essential link in the original chain, transferring rhythm and melody with perfect timing. Pat Monahan soars above, and just like the old days, the band’s synchronicity drives the musical journey that we adore.
From the get-go, Monahan personifies the grace of showmanship, moving along the stage side to side, engaging with the fans, and grabbing phones from fans to capture photo and video selfies for a lifetime memory. Like a quarterback from the San Francisco Giants, he throws several signed, rolled-up t-shirts to the crowd, adding a personal touch to the show.
The atmosphere is electrifying, with fans in the seated area now on their feet, swaying to the rhythm. The night is full of surprises. The band performs Gotye’s hit “Somebody That I Used To Know” with KT Tunstall, reminiscent of Train’s rendition of “Hey Jude” at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The Australian crowd passionately sings along, turning the chorus into an anthem. KT Tunstall flawlessly delivers Kimbra’s part, supported by thousands of enthusiastic fans. The performance is a perfect blend of fun and vocal excellence. Tunstall continues with “Bruises,” singing Ashley Monroe’s part, creating another delightful duet, reminiscent of iconic pairs like Dolly and Kenny or Donnie and Marie.
The crowd interaction has been magnetic. During “Angel in the Blue Jeans,” the audience enthusiastically joins in, creating a pub-style revelry with their collective oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh… The fun-filled showcase shifts into the next gear.
With another flick of the switch, Pat Monahan dives into “When I Look to the Sky” – a heartfelt track that delves deep into emotional resilience. Monahan’s voice carries the song’s emotional weight, seamlessly transitioning between the verses and chorus. The sentiment of “When I look into the sky, something tells me you’re here with me” is beautifully personified.
The sentimental spirit deepens with “Marry Me,” an acoustic-driven track, serenaded beautifully by Monahan. The gentle piano and delicate, heartfelt delivery sync with the anticipation and vulnerability of proposing to someone. The possibility feels real, and even after more than 20 years, the yearning in his message is as genuine as that of a love-struck teenager.
The emotional lights shift once again to “50 Ways.” Another non-lexical lyric, this time “Hey-hey, Hey-hey,” sparks more excitement in “Hey, Soul Sister.” The bright, upbeat anthem expresses adoration and admiration for someone who is the perfect match. The playful imagery and nostalgic track are reflected in the performance, creating a spiritual, inexorable connection of soul sister or soul mate that is felt throughout.
As the end draws near, the big hits start rolling in with “Drive By” – a track that reached the top 10 on the Billboard 100 in 2012. Monahan’s sing-talk vocal style is addictive, with plenty of head-bopping from the crowd. As the music is about to stop, the band switches to “Hey Jude!” While only the non-lexical bit of “Na-Na” is sung, it’s one of the most memorable moments of the night.
And there are more kindled surprises. The mysterious and cinematic tone of the guitar sparks a familiar sound from the 70s. “Hotel California” is about to be performed! As the drum kicks in for the first verse, everyone appoints themselves as the backup vocalist. “Welcome to the Hotel California. Such a lovely place.” But the biggest surprise of all is about to rise, as Pat Monahan takes on the drums, while the keyboardist switches to the guitar. With the four guitarists creating a wall of sound during the guitar solo, it’s one of the most dramatic scenes witnessed that night. The four stand shoulder to shoulder, recreating one of the most iconic sounds in rock history, reaching a soaring and emotional climax while Pat Monahan rocks the drums in an unforgettable scene.
The night ends with the Grammy Award-winning track “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” to cap off an astronomically memorable night.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Estellar PR, Destroy All Lines and Train for the media accreditation
Tickets to the Australian show are available from Destroy All Lines
About the Photographer/Writer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 180 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK etc with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) and of course Tommy Buoy of Yachtley Crew plus over 70 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
