Thursday nights Train & Maroon 5 concert that was held at Conseco Fieldhouse here in Indianapolis was a very nice tribute to those who were lost in the State Fair tragedy last Saturday night as a giant wind storm blew through the Grandstand stage that night and demolished the stage.

Sugarland was set to take the stage just moments before the tragedy occurred. Thus far the storm has claimed 6 lives, and that’s six to0 many. Sugarland, has not been rescheduled as of yet and refunds are being given out. Janet Jackson, who was set to perform the following Wednesday and Lady Antebellum who was booked for the following Friday, were both canceled. However, Train and Maroon 5, touring on the same bill, were moved to Conseco Fieldhouse on the day they were set to play the Indiana State Fair.

I was at the Indiana State Fair when the thunderstorm blew through and canceled any future Grandstand activities until further notice, and also had Train/Maroon 5 tickets. So, Thursday, August 18, 2011, Maroon 5 took to the stage in high fashion at Conseco. Maroon 5 opened the show with CD quality tunes. Vocalist Adam Levine never missed a lick from “This Love”, “She Will Be Loved” to “Won’t Go Home Without You” which he dedicated that to the crowd of about 13,000. “This is such a wonderful thing to have so many people supporting you here” he said. The man can strum a guitar like crazy too. Maroon 5 consists of James Valentine, guitarist, Jesse Carmichael, keyboards, Mickey Madden, bass, Adam Levine, lead vocalist/guitarist, and Matt Flynn who replaced the injured Ryan Dasick in 2004, who was injured in the line of tour duty, on drums.

The audience, mainly composed of young adults, were applauding as loud as they know how and Adam’s voice was always right on target. All proceeds from their performance were donated to the State Fair Remembrance Fund and this will be a concert that never will be forgotten. The only fall back was a venue curfew because I would have loved to see Maroon 5 stay out another half hour, but waiting in the wings was Train, so their time was over and Train’s was just beginning.

Maroon 5 – 4 1/2 stars

The lights dimmed once again around 9 pm, to the sound of a locomotive and the backdrop displayed the words TRAIN as guitarist Jimmy Stafford, drummer Scott Underwood, bassist Charlie Colin, guitarist Rob Hotchkiss and vocolist Pat Monahan finished off the night with their 90 minute set of hit after hit including their 1999 breakthrough hit “Meet Virginia”, “Save Me San Francisco” and “Drops Of Jupiter”.

But their two main highlights of their show that stood out included when Monahan invited several young women on the stage as he did an extended version of “She’s On Fire” and asked them to make their best movies on stage. Some did and some were just in shock they were on stage that they didn’t care. It was such a nice gesture as both bands had superior rapport. Soon there after, he walked the arena floor singing “Marry Me” up close and personal.

Their other highlight included not only the walk through, but when the amazing Nikki Jean preformed a song and dance Gypsy style. What a show this woman puts on and a sharp voice. She has recordings of her own and she was a nice additive to Train’s lineup and the exposure they are giving her is very commendable. Nice job Nikki. Nice Job Train.

During “Calling ALL Angels”, Pat Monahan saked the crowd to “think about the people we love, come together and rise our hands”. All this without direct mention to the State Fair tragedy. But on the banner behind the stage that also displayed some of the lyrics and mood background to go with such songs like the fore mentioned “She’s On Fire”, there was banner of passion to display with the photos and names of the victims of the Grandstand tragedy.

Train closed out their night with “Soul Sister”, thanked the audience for their time and everybody who was affiliated with putting on the concert, including both bands, who donated their time and proceeds which could come close to half a million dollars. At 10:30, the overhead lights were turned on and we were left with a night to remember.

Now, I might be to damn picky even in a trifling time as this, but I was hoping to see both bands come together as a grand finale. Maybe next time. The band was done working for the night and as Pat Monahan removed his shirt and threw it up to one lucky audience member (I would hope it was a female hustler) the crowd swarmed to the novelty tables where $35.00 shirts and other trinkets could be purchased. Oh, did I mention the $7.00 beers too. I wonder if their profits were donated. I also wonder how many of the 13,000 in the Fieldhouse, were last minute ticket buyers?

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the ones lost and injured in both the Grandstand tragedy and the Coliseum propane explosion in 1963 (a year before the Beatles played both venues. I know because I was at the Grandstand show in ’64 that claimed several dozen lives. Ticket prices for this show ranged from $28.00 to $55.00.

Train 5 stars By Hustlin Bob Higgins