Train brings their high energy show to the Ford Amphitheater with special guest Edwin McCain September 6th, 2025

It is always a great pleasure being asked to cover a band from the bands pr representative. Especially when it’s the second time and you love covering the band. This would be my third time covering Train. Add to that, this would be my first time covering a show at The Ford Amphitheater just north of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The venue has been open just a little over a year and has its own unique style. With a capacity of 8000, there are outdoor suites with fire pits for those chilly nights. And this night was just that with off and on light rain throughout the evening.

When I was not familiar with an artist, I used to go to YouTube and watch videos of the band. I stopped doing that a few years back because I wanted to be surprised. I have never been disappointed doing this and this evening with Edwin McCain was no exception. With 30 years behind him, his song writing and story telling continues to bring his shows filled with great music and has fun telling stories and interacting with the crowd. Edwin backed by his strong band members opened his set with, “I've Seen a Love” and his fans fell into the music.

Edwin moved back and forth through time with songs, “Jesters Dreamers and Thieves” from 1995, “Walk With You” from 2013. Between songs, Edwin would tell stories with a humorous touch which only added to a fun night. From his new album Lucky came the song, “Kool Miles” which brought a loud appreciation from his fans. He finished his set with 1999’s, “Anything Good About Me” and the venue air was filled with applause and cheering from the crowd for a show filled with great music and some fun story telling.

The Edwin McCain band:

Edwin McCain - guitar, vocals

Pete Riley rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Larry Chaney lead guitar 

Craig Shields keyboards, saxophone 

Jason Pomar bass guitar, backing vocals 

Tez Sherard drums, percussion

Set List:

I've Seen a Love 

Jesters Dreamers and Thieves 

I Could Not Ask for More 

Kool Miles 

Take Me 

Kool Miles 

I'll Be 

Anything Good About Me 

Though the rain was off and on and on the lighter side, it didn’t stop Train’s fans from exploding into a roaring cheer and jumping as the band members made their way onto the stage. Gathering in front of the drummer they started with the song “Brokenhearted” then Pat Monahan joined them with a smile that could light up the venue and the energy level broke the scale. Pat flows across the stage effortlessly engaging with his band members and the fans. Having covered the band twice before, I know what to expect, and it’s such a pleasure to photograph them and looking through my pictures, you will see the energy that I capture! 

The set list went back and forth through time mixed with originals and covers and Train’s fans were on their feet dancing and singing along with each song. The song “Meet Virginia” smoothly moves into “The Joker” (Steve Miller Band cover). From 2009, “Save Me, San Francisco”. And we can’t forget a tradition that I am not sure how long it’s been going on but, the cell phones began to fly onto stage. And without missing a beat, Pat takes them one by one and does selfies with the crowd in the background and videos of the band and the crowd. I don’t know how this was started, but it’s something Pat enjoys doing. I think he gets just as big a kick out of it as do his fans. 

Train is a very solid band with great musicians that pour out their energy every single show. As their set was whining down, Edwin McCain joined Pat for the song, “Hotel California” (Eagles cover) and the crowded venue loved every note! Train topped off their set with their Grammy award winning song, “Drops of Jupiter”. 

There are 9 more dates for this tour and honestly I can’t recommend enough for you to get out and see their show. High energy, great music and a lot of fun, you won’t be disappointed!

Train members:

Pat Monahan – lead vocals, percussion, occasional trumpet and saxophone (1994–2006, 2009–present), drums (1994)

Jerry Becker – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)

Hector Maldonado – bass, backing vocals (2009–present)

Matt Musty – drums, percussion (2019–present)[65]

Taylor Locke – lead guitar, backing vocals (2021–present)

Set List:

Set list:

Brokenhearted

Calling All Angels

If It's Love

Get to Me

Meet Virginia / The Joker

(Steve Miller Band cover)

Lose Control

(Teddy Swims cover)

This'll Be My Year

Save Me, San Francisco

Play That Song

AM Gold

Angel in Blue Jeans / Too Sweet

(Hozier cover)

Mississippi

Marry Me

50 Ways to Say Goodbye

Bruises

Hey, Soul Sister / Come and Get Your Love

Drive By / Hey Jude

Hotel California

(Eagles cover) (with Edwin McCain)

Drops of Jupiter