It was nice to that there were five songs from Nothing Is Sound and the playing of "24" instead of "On Fire" or "Only Hope". I was told after the show that "Shadow Proves The Sunshine" was on the set list but they forgot to play it. Fortunately they played "Happy Is A Yuppie Word" and it is my favorite Switchfoot song. I'm hoping they keep this one on their set list for years to come.
The biggest hit song from Switchfoot is "Meant To Live" and they've truly mastered performing that song. There is always amazing energy and the closing of the song is a big kick. A surprise during the encore was a solo performance of "Rebellion (Lies)", a cover song. It was just Jon Foreman, his guitar, and his harmonica and it was excellent.
After the show JonnyUps and myself hung out to talk to the band. The guys are as friendly as ever and really don't seem to have changed. They are always a breath of fresh air both personally and in concert. They will challenge you but not gross you out. Some bands choose to use obscenity and classless behavior to shock, not Switchfoot. Read their lyrics and you will be challenged to look past our simple day-to-day lives.
I'm very hopeful for the new album Oh! Gravity. If the energy they capture during their live shows could ever find a way onto an album it would be amazing. Personally, I believe that is impossible. The best bands are better live than in the studio and Switchfoot is in that category. Listening to Switchfoot on an album does not compare to a Switchfoot concert. If they are coming anywhere near you over the next month on their current tour then it is worth your time to check them out. Be careful though, you really might get hooked.
I'm also looking at getting an advanced legal copy of Oh! Gravity to review.
Article comments
1 - Janet
I also drove three hours to see Switchfoot. I saw them in Minneapolis. From the concert I was at, I have to agree with everything you say about them.
I am also middle aged and also drove three hours to get there. I went with my 14-year-old daughter. We had managed three concerts that month, and one was with Good Charlotte, her favorite group.
We both like Switchfoot (obviously, or we wouldn't have gone to a concert) but their concert put their CDs to shame. My daughter even liked it better than the Good Charlotte concert, something she never thought possible.
I also agree that their kind of energy can't be captured on electronics.
Two days after the concert we were still on a concert high when my daughter looked at me and said "Best night of my life!" I knew exactly what she meant.
I was so moved by it all that when I blogged about it I couldn't find the words...twice.
We also got the chance to meet the band. We met them separately, and all of them were great. Three of them saw my daughter and said words to the effect of "Oh, yeah, I saw you. You were standing right there!" and correctly pointed to where she was on the balcony.
I look at the pictures from the meet-and-greet and see the biggest smile I have ever seen on my daughter. We have experienced a lot of loss this year, and seeing that smile...I'll always be greatful to Switchfoot for it.
2 - Vicky
Great review. I don't usually read these things, they are usually too boring, but yours was very good. I know Johnny (only a little, mind you) but I bet he is a fun time at a concert. Glad you enjoyed yourselves.