The sounds of the multi-platinum rock band Train filled the air at the Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor Thursday night with their rootsy, soulful rock, in a two-hour set that spanned hits from throughout their nearly 20-year career — appropriate for a music venue that frequently sees trains roll down the tracks past the Penobscot River.
With a sound that falls somewhere in between the radio-friendly alt-rock of the late 1990s and the soulful roots rock of the Black Crowes or John Mellencamp, Train has released seven albums. All those albums have spawned huge hits, including their first-ever hit “Free” (a late 1990s staple of WKIT 100.3 FM), “Drops of Jupiter,” “Hey Soul Sister, “If It’s Love,” “Calling All Angels” and their latest hit, “Angel In Blue Jeans,” off their 2014 album “Bulletproof Picasso.” All those songs were performed Thursday along, along with covers like George Michael’s “Freedom.”
The tour Train is on is named for their new album, in fact: the Picasso at the Wheel tour has taken them across the country, including Thursday’s show, their first in Bangor. The crowd was in a festive mood, battling a brisk wind and setting up blankets on the lawn area.
“You are the best audience of our tour so far,” said Monahan, just before playing their first major radio hit, “Meet Virginia.” “We’re sorry it took us to long for us to get here.”
The fans roared their approval. A number of people in the audience were clearly huge fans, sporting homemade T-shirts, as well as ones purchased at the show.
“I’ve been a fan since the beginning. I first heard them when I was nine years old,” said Rebekah Mower, 27, of Bangor, who attended with her husband, Michael. “We have two kids and this is the first time we’ve been out in like six months. We are so happy to be here. We usually listen to the concerts from our back porch.”
The Fray opened the night with an hour-long set, showcasing their melodic, piano-driven rock. Known for such hits as “Over My Head (Cable Car)” and “How To Save a Life,” the band is comprised of guitarist Joe King and pianist-vocalist Isaac Slade, who are childhood friends, as well as drummer Ben Wysocki and guitarist Dave Welsh.
Train and the Fray were an early kickoff to a busy weekend on the Waterfront. On Friday night, the first-ever Wine on the Waterfront festival will be held, and then on Saturday, the Tap Into Summer — Bangor’s Beer Festival takes over, followed shortly after Saturday night by the Fall Out Boy and Hoodie Allen concert at the Darling’s pavilion. For more information on the Machias Savings Bank concert series, visit waterfrontconcerts.com.
