Switchfoot w/ NEEDTOBREATHE
Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA
07.18.15
Active since 1996, Switchfoot has been entertaining crowds all over the world for nearly 20 years. With their positive message and uplifting songs, Switchfoot has switched roles for this tour, opening for Christian rockers NEEDTOBREATHE. With a shorter set time and fewer songs, Switchfoot still packed a headliner’s energy into their 30-minute set at Marymoor Park on Saturday, June 18th.
The sun was about 30 minutes from setting below the horizon on the beautiful outdoor grounds of Marymoor Park, as the band graced the stage to thunderous applause. From the left side of the stage, the sun was peeking through the thick evergreen trees surrounding the lawn. Catching all of the dust in the air and bouncing off of their instruments, it looked like a scene out of a movie, like a figure from heaven should’ve been descending to Earth. Front man John Foreman said after their first song, “This is one of the most beautiful locations on this planet. If any of you out there get rich and build a mansion, please host concerts on your front lawn,” referring to the Clise Mansion on the 640 acres of Marymoor Park.
For only having 30 minutes, Switchfoot brought everything they had to the table or to the front barricade, literally. Foreman climbed down from the stage into the front of the crowd five times, in total. Grabbing hands for balance, singing into the faces of the fans, you could tell who came to see Switchfoot. His crowd engagement is worth showing up early for, if you want a more intimate experience. Just check out the photos below to see what I’m talking about.
A softer and mellower selection of songs filled this shortened set. Switchfoot brought it down even lower for one song (“if that’s even possible,” noted Foreman), while he lowered his mic stand. Each member gathered around one mic in the front of the stage with only a guitar and one drum snare, as Switchfoot performed an “unplugged acoustic” version of an old favorite, “Hello Hurricane.” Nay, the best version I had heard to date too, and I’ve heard a few other versions live. The mixture of the crowd and the band members brought a campfire feel to the song, along with the reduction to two simple instruments. Among the trees of Marymoore Park, the trees too were even swaying back and forth to the sweet sounds of Switchfoot.
With what has become a sort-of-tradition, the set ended with Foreman receiving a white flag from the crowd with the words “Where I Belong” painted in black. Waving the flag across the stage, this final song in all its essence is the reason why Switchfoot is still a band after nearly 20 years. Their ability to express what’s important to them in a format that has power and engagement is what will keep Switchfoot an active band for the next 20. Here’s to hoping, because I never get tired of watching these guys rock out.
Review and photos by Logan Westom
Switchfoot
NEEDTOBREATHE
