Written by Dave Clements
It was no surprise to this reviewer that when Train and Barenaked Ladies rolled into The Woodlands on an August Friday night, the heat rolled in with them. The Pavilion was already warm and sticky long before the Drops of Jupiter 25 Years in the Atmosphere Tour touched down, and I was eager to see how this co‑bill would unfold once the sun finally dipped behind the lawn.
But at 6:45 p.m., when opener Matt Nathanson stepped onstage right on time, the “very large crowd” had not yet materialized. Late‑afternoon sun was still blasting across the back of the lawn — never my favorite way to photograph live music. Stage lighting, natural or unnatural, is always better. Whatever.
I’d never seen Matt before. On stage with his guitar and three bandmates he delivered a ten‑song set of originals and covers, and every one of them was nicely done. He opened with Crush/Boys of Summer, followed with Giants and Pablo Picasso, and wrapped with Faster/Kiss, Suspended, and Come On Get Higher/Falling.
The Massachusetts native impressed me so much and certainly enough that I’d love to see him again soon — maybe right down the road at Dosey Doe Big Barn.
Come back to The Woodlands, Matt. The barn is calling.
Next up: a band with one of my favorite names in music — Barenaked Ladies. It’s as clever a name as another Canadian group I’ve enjoyed over the last few years, The Heels (check them out).
The name’s origin is worth repeating. Founding members Ed Robertson and Steven Page (no longer with the band) were tossing around silly names while attending a Bob Dylan concert near Toronto in 1988. When Ed had to confirm his spot in a local charity battle of the bands, he panicked and blurted out the joke name: Barenaked Ladies.
Turns out, it was a brilliant move. It helped launch the band across North America.
And for the record, the four BNL bandmates who took the stage were fully dressed — thank goodness.
The band was tight, energetic, and vocally strong throughout their thirteen‑song set. I didn’t get to enjoy the first three songs as much as I’d like — I was busy figuring out what good images of the guys would look like. I think I did pretty well, but you can be the judge at the Houston Music Review Photo Gallery.
BNL kicked off with Lookin’ Up, The Old Apartment, and Barenaked Rap/Once in a Lifetime, and closed with Highway to Hell and Lovin’ Life.
They also delivered a six‑song medley that was particularly entertaining, and of course they played If I Had $1,000,000, which lit up the pavilion — now finally full and sun‑free.
These guys are incredibly fun, so very engaging, and a complete joy to watch. And yes — they came and left fully dressed. And you may find this comment weird, but I think of Jimmy Buffet when they are on stage.
—
Train — Punctual, Polished, and Built for the Big Moment
Pat Monahan and Train rolled on-stage right-on time — something I always appreciate. Many shows don’t adhere to published schedules, but Train did.
Most of the crowd was clearly there to hear Drops of Jupiter, but before getting into their performance, I want to touch on their name. Yes, it connects to locomotives, but it also connects to training — getting fit, practicing, and improving. A clever dual meaning.
Train delivered nineteen songs in just over 90 minutes — my kind of show. They opened with She’s on Fire, 50 Ways to Say Goodbye, and If It’s Love.
A John Mellencamp cover, Jack & Diane, featured Matt Nathanson returning to the stage — a nice move, Train. A few songs later, Ed Robertson came back up for Meet Virginia/Take Me Home, Country Roads. Both collaborations were well‑received and added a fun, unexpected layer to the evening.
The set also included AM Gold, Whipping Boy, Calling All Angels, Mississippi, Marry Me, the Journey cover Stone in Love which featured Pat’s son Rock Richard Monahan, and the Dirty Heads cover Vacation.
And then came the moment everyone was waiting for: Drops of Jupiter. The song that motivated so many to attend — and in this reviewer’s opinion, absolutely worthy of its notoriety.
An evening well done by all. If you were there, thanks for supporting live music.
If you weren’t, you would have missed a good one.
Until next time.
dwc