Two iconic bands, Train and REO Speedwagon, have announced they're hitting the road together for a co-headlining 2024 tour, with a notable stop at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in west Phoenix on September 11. In a statement obtained by Phoenix New Times, Train's lead vocalist Pat Monahan shared his excitement, saying, "When I was younger I heard a band called REO Speedwagon and fell in love with their numerous, infectious hit songs." He added, "This tour won’t just be a great time with great people, but a tour that will have a ton of familiar songs to most generations. I will be wishing I was in the audience as much as I’ll love being on the stage."
Citi cardmembers will have the chance to snag presale tickets starting at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, with artist presales to follow soon after. Tickets will be widely available for all starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, with all the details to be found on the Train and REO Speedwagon websites. Yacht Rock Revue is set to open the shows, ensuring fans can quickly get in the groove before the headliners take the stage. According to an Ultimate Classic Rock interview, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin couldn’t hide his anticipation, noting "Pat Monahan and I have done several benefit shows over the years, and now we get to take out our bands for a summer full of music and fun."
The tour, titled 'Summer Road Trip 2024,' kicks off on July 8 in Somerset, Wisconsin, and will weave its way across the nation to culminate in Phoenix. Before the tour's commencement, Train and REO Speedwagon are expected to deliver a special performance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on January 31. This televised appearance marks the precursor to a series of celebratory events, including an intimate gig at Hollywood's Whisky the following day.
The collaboration between the two bands is promising to deliver more than a walk down memory lane. Cronin, in a statement obtained by Ultimate Classic Rock, hinted at surprises for fans, "Patrick and I, from the very first conversation that we had, that was something that both of us want to do." Cronin divulged they're considering mashing up some classics in a unique fashion, stating "We thought about that and we’re like, 'Well, it’s a little folksy.' If we were doing a club tour or a theater tour, maybe. For amphitheaters, that might be a little too stripped down. So we’ll see. But we’re going to do something. Both bands are into it, we just have to figure out how to make it all work logistically."
The tour represents a convergence of pop-rock and classic rock, mixing Train's more modern hits with REO Speedwagon's anthems from the '70s and '80s. Fans can expect an electrifying series of shows filled with chart-topping melodies and perhaps some memorable onstage collaborations that highlight the prowess of both bands. As they prepare to hit stages across North America, fans can ready themselves for a summer that looks to blend nostalgia with the thrill of live music's return to grand outdoor venues.
