@ NXNE: Switchfoot

By Melanie Chung

Likely the most “marquee” band at NXNE this year, Switchfoot played a packed show at The Phoenix, getting the venue largely to themselves. The crowd was literally spilling out of the doorways and cameras were flashing like mad.

They opened their show with their biggest hit Dare You to Move and frontman Jon Foreman, a huge fan of audience participation excited the crowd with singalongs, took an audience request, and invited them to join in the celebration of guitar and keyboardist Jerome Fontamillas birthday, complete with cake and lit candles.

Usually termed as “Christian Rock,” Switchfoot just put on a good old-fashioned show with fun pop rock tunes that even got families to come out. Yes, a bit odd to see little tykes hand in hand in tow at The Phoenix, but nonetheless, Switchfoot entertained a vast audience. Even introducing new tracks yet to be released from their upcoming studio album such as Hello Hurricane which frontman Jon Foreman says has never been played outside of their studio as a full live band. In addition to premiering Hello Hurricane the band also gave the audience a sneak preview to another track, the more hard rocking Mess of Me.

Coming close to the end, Jon got the lights dimmed, the disco ball rolling, and he weaved his way through the audience to a small side stage all the while singing the emotive On Fire. Replacing the piano solos with a harmonica, Switchfoot seamlessly blended in the more upbeat Awakening.

A surprising addition to NXNE’s lineup, but definitely a pleasant one, Switchfoot brought in fans who came to see a Switchfoot show. They nicely rounded out the NXNE music program with just a touch of pop. Switchfoot bookended their show with an encore performance of the uplifting Dare You to Move. What other way is there to close out a show except with a bang?