MANSFIELD, MA | The AM Gold tour kicked off at its first stop: The Xfinity Center on Thursday, June 8. The triple bill features Blues Traveler, Jewel, and headliner Train who each brought their own unique performances to the New England amphitheater.
Blues Traveler kicked off the night featuring John Popper’s iconic harmonica skills front and center beginning with “But Anyway,” leading into “Funky Bitch”—a Son Seals cover—followed by “Run Around.” Jewel gave fans her best sports announcer impression, introducing herself off stage, “Next up! Weighing in at 100 unmentionable lbs., we have the folk singer, Jewel!”
“I’m so glad all of you love me more than Paul McCartney,” singer-songwriter Jewel joked as she greeted fans. The beloved Beatle was just miles away performing at Fenway Park that same evening, but there was nowhere else her fans wanted to be. “I feel lucky every single day that I get to play music for a living,” she said as she thanked the audience. “Does anyone remember the Kendall Café? Only 12 of you were there, but that’s where I started in the Boston area.”
Her set featured new songs from her first studio album in seven years, Freewheelin’ Woman, as well as most of her hits, including a stunning vocal on “Foolish Games.” Her new single “Dancing Slow,” features the sweet vocals of Train’s Pat Monahan. Jewel closed with “a little slinkier, a little slower” version of the first song she ever wrote, “Who Will Save Your Soul,” working out a new rhythm with her band and showcasing a jazzier rendition of the ’90s hit.
The enthusiasm of Train fans is contagious as they always seem to come alive at first sight of Monahan and the band. Train’s dynamic performance began with a single off their new album of the same name, AM Gold. Fans were nearly knocked off their feet as confetti shot out from the stage. Monahan connected with fans throughout the night, tossing out shirts and snapping selfies as he sang.
Kya Stillson of West Springfield, MA, swayed with her 6 month-old baby boy Renwick. The wide-eyed little guy was attending the first concert of his young life and his mom was savoring this moment. She drove an hour and a half to see Train—to especially hear “Drops of Jupiter”—and to be there with her child was a joy-filled experience. “It means everything to be here with him,” she said. “It’s been such a hard pandemic and I’ve missed live music so much. Now I get to experience it again and watch him experience it for the first time.”
