Last Week Live: Switchfoot

If you combined Bon Jovi’s sheer rockability with everything that’s California cool, you’d probably have someone a lot like Switchfoot’s lead singer Jon Foreman — and that’s a good thing. Even in the last row of Rams’ Head Live last Wednesday, the band’s energy and passion was palpable, in no large part to do with Foreman’s stage presence.

The night began with opening act Paper Route, whose lead singer, J.T.  Daly, remixed two Switchfoot songs on the band’s latest EP, Vice Re-Verses. The band performed a set that attempted to blur electronic and pop-rock sounds, which the audience seemed to respond well to. Though lead singer’s echoing cries reminded me of my middle school music choices, the band’s single, “Better Life,” redeemed the screeches for me — it’s definitely worth the download.

By the end of Paper Route’s  set, the audience was anxious for Switchfoot to take the stage. Switchfoot drew a crowd ranging from high school superfans to middleaged people on their way home from work — and it was pretty astonishing to see such a range of people come to watch the band perform.

The wait was well worth it.

Foreman opened the set with “Afterlife,” the band’s latest single off its last album. It was the perfect song to establish the band’s rocker vibe, complete with a smog machine, colored lights, and pictures and videos of places the band’s been projecting on the stage.

Now with a song title like “Afterlife,” I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t Switchfoot that Christian band?

Though the band performs at Christian festivals and is inspired by its faith, Foreman once explained, “For us, it’s a faith, not a genre. We’ve always been very open and of honest about where these songs are coming from. For us, these songs are for everyone.” In other words? No matter what your faith, the band’s songs about life, love, and wanting to be a better person appeal to everyone.

It was clear to the audience that Foreman’s niche is onstage — he was at ease speaking to the crowd in between songs, and was clearly excited to kick off the band’s Fall 2012 Tour in Baltimore.

The band even went to the Orioles game before the concert, and joked, “They might actually have a chance this year!”

Foreman continued his set with “Stars” and “Dark Horses,” but a highlight of the concert was when Foreman jumped off the stage during “The Original” and walked around the venue, offering high fives and hugs to fans even in the back rows (like me!).

He even climbed the stairs to the upper levels of Rams’ Head and performed “Restless” from the audience, teasing audience members, “I’m sorry, did I steal your spot? I’m sorry! I’ll give it back, I promise!”

The band later gave an audience member its setlist, asking the crowd to call out songs it wanted them to perform. It was a simple gesture that proved the band really cares about performing the concert that its audience will enjoy.

The band ended it set with arguably its biggest hit, “Meant to Live,” which Foreman explained to be “a song about life.” When the lights dimmed, the audience hoped for an encore, which was met with “Where I Belong” and “The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues).

On the whole, I was extremely impressed with Switchfoot’s ability to connect with its audience and incredible stage presence. This concert alone inspired this fan to go home and download Vice Verses, and it was well worth it.