{"id":18437,"date":"2026-08-15T21:08:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T21:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/?p=18437"},"modified":"2026-08-15T21:08:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T21:08:29","slug":"train-barenaked-ladies-matt-nathanson-the-woodlands-pavilion-the-woodlands-tx-august-14-2026-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2026\/08\/15\/train-barenaked-ladies-matt-nathanson-the-woodlands-pavilion-the-woodlands-tx-august-14-2026-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Train \/ Barenaked Ladies \/ Matt Nathanson – The Woodlands Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX. – August 14, 2026 – Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Dave Clements<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>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\u2011bill would unfold once the sun finally dipped behind the lawn.<\/p>\n

But at 6:45 p.m., when opener Matt Nathanson stepped onstage right on time, the \u201cvery large crowd\u201d had not yet materialized. Late\u2011afternoon sun was still blasting across the back of the lawn \u2014 never my favorite way to photograph live music. Stage lighting, natural or unnatural, is always better. Whatever.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d never seen Matt before. On stage with his guitar and three bandmates he delivered a ten\u2011song 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Massachusetts native impressed me so much and certainly enough that I\u2019d love to see him again soon \u2014 maybe right down the road at Dosey Doe Big Barn.
\nCome back to The Woodlands, Matt. The barn is calling.<\/p>\n

Next up: a band with one of my favorite names in music \u2014 Barenaked Ladies. It\u2019s as clever a name as another Canadian group I\u2019ve enjoyed over the last few years, The Heels (check them out).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The name\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Turns out, it was a brilliant move. It helped launch the band across North America.<\/p>\n

And for the record, the four BNL bandmates who took the stage were fully dressed \u2014 thank goodness.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The band was tight, energetic, and vocally strong throughout their thirteen\u2011song set. I didn\u2019t get to enjoy the first three songs as much as I\u2019d like \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

BNL kicked off with Lookin\u2019 Up, The Old Apartment, and Barenaked Rap\/Once in a Lifetime, and closed with Highway to Hell and Lovin\u2019 Life.<\/p>\n

They also delivered a six\u2011song medley that was particularly entertaining, and of course they played If I Had $1,000,000, which lit up the pavilion \u2014 now finally full and sun\u2011free.<\/p>\n

These guys are incredibly fun,\u00a0so very engaging, and a complete joy to watch. And yes \u2014 they came and left fully dressed. And you may find this comment weird, but I think of Jimmy Buffet when they are on stage.
\n—<\/p>\n

Train \u2014 Punctual, Polished, and Built for the Big Moment<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Pat Monahan and Train rolled on-stage right-on time \u2014 something I always appreciate. Many shows don\u2019t adhere to published schedules, but Train did.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 getting fit, practicing, and improving. A clever dual meaning.<\/p>\n

Train delivered nineteen songs in just over 90 minutes \u2014 my kind of show. They opened with She\u2019s on Fire, 50 Ways to Say Goodbye, and If It\u2019s Love.<\/p>\n

A John Mellencamp cover, Jack & Diane, featured Matt Nathanson returning to the stage \u2014 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\u2011received and added a fun, unexpected layer to the evening.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>And then came the moment everyone was waiting for: Drops of Jupiter. The song that motivated so many to attend \u2014 and in this reviewer\u2019s opinion, absolutely worthy of its notoriety.<\/p>\n

An evening well done by all. If you were there, thanks for supporting live music.
\nIf you weren\u2019t, you would have missed a good one.<\/p>\n

Until next time.
\ndwc<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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… <\/p>\n

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