Live Music Review: Train Lights Up The Piece Hall A Magical Evening of Californian Pop-Rock

July 3, 2025 – Halifax

Review and Images By Paul McWilliams

When you blend balmy summer weather, an utterly breathtaking venue, and a band known for crafting irresistible pop-rock anthems, you’ve got all the ingredients for an unforgettable evening. Train’s performance at The Piece Hall in Halifax on July 3rd delivered exactly that. From the opening chords of “AM Gold” to the euphoric close with “Drops of Jupiter,” Train proved they’re not just torchbearers of early-2000s nostalgia—they’re masters of their craft, still capable of transcending genre lines and connecting with audiences of all ages.

A Venue as Captivating as the Band

There’s something magical about The Piece Hall’s open-air courtyard—an iconic Georgian marketplace turned cultural hub. Its golden sandstone façade glows in the summer evening light, its arches carve the sky in silhouette, and the atmosphere is infused with civic pride and architectural grandeur. Train may have played a large-scale show, but under those vaulted stone walls and alongside the vaults of history, the gig felt intimate.

As a fan, I was struck by how the venue’s design can both amplify and soften sound. The acoustics were warm and resonant; every guitar strum and vocal nuance carried across the courtyard beautifully. But more than just sound, the venue’s beauty added an emotional texture—you felt the collective sense of occasion, as though Train weren’t just playing in Halifax, but for Halifax.

Train’s Welcoming Touch

Stepping on stage, frontman Pat Monahan radiated genuine joy. He looked out over the crowd and beamed, saying: “I love this place—you guys are beautiful.” That wasn’t a throwaway line; it reflected the energy in the crowd and the reciprocal admiration that would flow throughout the night. With backup bands, crowd-pleasing lighting, and sweeping production, it could have felt scripted—but instead, Train made everything feel effortless and heartfelt.

From the moment AM Gold began, it was plain that this wasn’t a career-spanning nostalgia gig. With grooves steeped in LA sunshine and lyrics dripping in vulnerability, the crowd leaned in. “Calling All Angels” followed, and folks near the front started belting out the chorus before it even hit its stride. These songs, deeply embedded in public consciousness, felt renewed—not just dusted off relics, but meaningful expressions of the present.

An Eclectic, Crowd-Engaging Setlist

Train’s setlist was a meticulously curated blend of old favorites and new material, each track flowing organically into the next.

1. AM Gold – A breezy opener grounding the show in new material.
2. Calling All Angels – The crowd swayed and sang the soaring chorus in unison.
3. If It’s Love – A heartfelt pop ballad that had everyone humming.
4. Get to Me – A shimmering groove that invited clapping and smiles.
5. Meet Virginia – A nostalgic nod that had diehards cheering.
6. Over the Hills and Far Away – A slower, contemplative moment to catch your breath.
7. Save Me, San Francisco – Joyous singalong energy returned at full throttle.
8. Running Back (Trying to Talk to You) – A solid track from their recent catalogue.
9. Play That Song – Retro groove and heavy nostalgia in one catchy package.
10. Long Yellow Dress – A more recent single that shone with its lyrics of self-awareness.
11. Angel in Blue Jeans – A mid-tempo gem that kept the mood warm.
12. Lose Control – A cover of Teddy Swims’ emotive track, surprising and soulful.
13. Marry Me – A romantic highlight—the crowd’s singalong was stunning.
14. 50 Ways to Say Goodbye – Drenched in catchy horns and cheeky energy.
15. Bruises – A tender, stripped-down moment; poignant and intimate.
16. Brokenhearted – Another emotional gem, allowing Pat’s vocals to captivate.
17. Hey, Soul Sister – A stadium anthem in miniature form, everyone leapt in.
18. Drive By – Pure joy in a melodic pop-rock package.
19. Hotel California (Eagles cover) – A beautifully-rendered homage to rock tradition.
20. Drops of Jupiter – The euphoric finale. The crowd exploded in cheers as the piano intro hit, and by the chorus, the courtyard was one voice.

Each song had its moment. Train knew just when to dial back and let soft emotion sink in—like the stripped-down “Bruises” and “Brokenhearted”—and when to reignite the energy with upbeat favorites like “Play That Song” and “Drive By.” The flow felt thoughtfully planned, keeping people dancing in the aisles and teary-eyed under the same moonlit sky.

Even in a venue that seats several thousand, Train made the experience intimate. Monahan frequently made eye contact, told anecdotes about San Francisco and New York, and laughed at his own mispronunciations of ‘Halifax.’ Transformers of energy, they brought smiles to every corner.

And the band was right there with him—Jimmy Stafford’s guitar solos were both thunderous and delicate when required, Richie Mole’s keys added atmospheric depth, and the rhythm section—Jerry Becker on bass and Matt Musty on drums—was a sturdy backbone. They weren’t just musicians stacked behind the frontman; they were an integral unit. During quieter moments, all eyes were drawn to the keyboard or the bass, making it clear this was a collective effort.

Opening Act: A Star on the Rise

Before Train hit the stage, Matt Hansen took to the mic with a quiet confidence to warm up the crowd. I confess I’d never encountered him before—but by the end of his performance, I was officially a fan. His soulful delivery, clever songwriting, and early stage warmth hinted at a bright future. The crowd clearly agreed—some softly sang along to unreleased tracks, and others left with CD copies in hand. He’s one to watch, without a doubt.

The Venue That Became a Character

Part of what made this evening so immersive was The Piece Hall’s tactile beauty. Once used for selling cloth centuries ago, its arches and sandstone structure were practically glowing in the ambient stage-lights. The sky overhead was clear, and the breeze, fresh. It’s rare when a venue adds emotional weight to the set, but here it did.

Train often referenced how the venue made them feel young again—like they were playing outdoors at a Californian amphitheater. It was impossible not to believe it. They steered audience energy with ease: slow, introspective songs and swelling rock anthems felt just as natural when released into the courtyard’s acoustic cradle.

Moments That Took My Breath Away

There were a few moments I’m still thinking about:

• Monahan’s mid-set speech, where he described writing Drops of Jupiter after losing his mother. The crowd hushed, hanging on his words—then exploded in cheers when the band launched into it. It’s a song that has endurance because of its emotional freight, and tonight was proof.
• The “Hotel California” cover, which wasn’t just a nod—it had intent. Train framed it as a tribute to rock tradition, and they nailed it. The slide guitar, vocal harmonies, and echoing solo all felt heartfelt—not contrived.
• The encore welcome. It’s not easy to get a crowd back for more, but beneath the traditional set closer, Train came right back out for “Drops of Jupiter.” It closed the show like a woofer thump on the heart—enjoyable, expansive, emotional.

Reflections on a Perfect Summer Night

Walking out into the humid July night, the streets felt like they were humming with afterglow. People in the crowd were still singing the refrains and replaying moments in their minds. It wasn’t nostalgia or longing—it was gratitude. Gratitude that these musicians came to Halifax, gratitude that they still play with power and heart, and gratitude for places like The Piece Hall that can turn scale into soul.

If you ever hear Train are touring near you—especially in an outdoor venue—go. It might be the perfect band for those warm summer nights. They blend era-crossing melodies, emotional storytelling, and creative nostalgia, and they do it soaked in sincerity and scene mastery.

Final Word: This was more than a gig. It was a festival of emotion, built on community and crafted by melodic mastery. Train at The Piece Hall was a reminder that music can feel like home—and we’re all lucky to be there when they need it most.