It has been about 3 years since I have seen Switchfoot live in concert. It was their tour for Nothing is Sound. I enjoyed that show, but thinking back on it now, nothing really stood out. The one thing I remember is Augustana opening for them, and beginning that love affair. Their next album “Oh! Gravity” had not been one of my favorites, so when I bought the tickets to go it was a compulsive buy. They had a new album coming out that was being released only a week before the concert, so I was taking a gamble without knowing if I would like it.
Alicia and I got there about 30 minutes before the doors were to open and the line was already down the block. The Parish is one of my favorite venues downtown. I had the privilege of seeing Angel Taylor/Gavin DeGraw here back in April.
When we got in we found a decent spot on the side of the stage but for some reason every tall man decided to stand around us. I know I am not tall by any means, but this was the first time in awhile where I felt like I was a munchkin.
The stage had numerous seagulls floating around from the ceiling, which is inspired by their album cover art (no worries, the band assured us during the concert that there had been no accidents).
The show was about to start. The band was coming on stage and everyone was screaming and clapping in anticipation. The only one missing was lead singer, Jon Foreman. I was looking around to where their green room was when I notice a man walking towards me. I realize its Foreman! No one around me realized it. He had his hood up trying to be discreet. As soon as he passed I realized who he looked like at that moment. Dominic Monaghan (Charlie from Lost). Side note: The countdown is on. February 2nd for the last season!
To start the concert Foreman began by singing in the audience. He stood on a bench on the opposite side of where I was. At that moment I knew it was going to be a different kind of concert.
Foreman announced they were going to play their new album “Hello Hurricane” from beginning to end. They said they worked hard on this album and felt like to play it in its entirety for the fans would be a great way to showcase it. Right away my mind went to the Decemberists when I saw them at SXSW. They did the same thing. I loved how I did not have to worry about whether they were going to play my favorite song off the new CD. It was a given 🙂
By the time we got to the 6th song, “Free,” Foreman left his mic and guitar to pound on a big drum (I tried to look up the technical name for it, but I failed miserably). I really enjoyed when they performed my favorite song, “Always.” Foreman actually played the piano for this song and said he wrote it while playing on the piano he learned on as a child. He dedicated it to Led Zeppelin, who made him stray from the piano and move onto the guitar. It was beautiful.
For “Bullet Soul” they whipped out the cowbell. Which always sends my mind straight to Will Ferrell and his skit from SNL. To add more to that feel in the following song, “Yet” they whipped out an accordion and harmonica.
Throughout the entire set Foreman was very interactive with the audience. Not only sharing in between songs but coming down, standing on things, borrowing hats. After they finished the entire set they told us they were going to leave and whatever song we started singing they would come back and do. So, right away different groups begin shouting different songs, until one large group begins to sing in unison Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.” It was pretty funny. The band came back out, but they did not perform Cyrus. They played their song “Home.” Someone was singing it in the front.
The entire time I was hoping they would play my all my time favorite song “24.” I had seen in a tweet earlier in the week that they had done it at a show, so I was crossing my fingers hoping they would repeat it in Austin. And what do you know…they did! And it was awesome! They played some of their other popular songs like “Dare You To Move,” “Learning to Breathe,” “Stars,” and “Oh! Gravity.” And their encore included “This is Your Life” and “Meant To Live.” During the encore John walked around the audience, getting on top of tables, hence how I got this lovely pic:
The show was a full two hours and I loved every second of it. With the band doing the new album in its entirety it definitely helped me fall in love with it even more and I think it is one of their finest they have done. I recently read an article in Relevant Magazine, where they interviewed John Foreman. He said for the new record they started with 120 songs! That is so many! Maybe that is normal, but to me that is crazy. But it is obvious they chose the right one’s. “Hello Hurricane” has a good balance of upbeat and slower songs. And the lyrics–one can most definitely feel the passion and message that each song holds.
I would encourage you to check out Switchfoot’s latest album “Hello Hurricane” and if you get a chance–check them out on the road. They are putting on a great show, in a semi-intimate setting, for a great price.
Until next time…PEACE OUT!
The One... 