Switchfoot

Switchfoot
Date: 11/11/09
Place: The Roxy, West Hollywood CA
Review by ~ Aniruddh 'Andrew' Bansal

The line of people waiting to get in for this show extended to two blocks down the road outside the Roxy. It was surely the biggest crowd I've ever seen at this place. The reason was a special CD release show by San Diego rockers Switchfoot. Their latest album 'Hello Hurricane' released just yesterday and to celebrate this release, the band had decided to give the fans a chance to come and see them play the album in its entirety. So this was the first time the whole album was played live.

The band hit the stage at 8.30 among some very loud cheers by this crowd. The lead vocalist/guitarist Jon Foreman appeared behind the crowd and all heads turned around to see him. While the rest of his band mates were on stage, he sang most of the opening song Needle And Haystack Life from back there. He finally made his way to the stage to perform the rest of their set. Props have to be given for this unique band intro.

They continued playing the rest of the album, with Jon picking up the guitar after the first couple of songs. The band showed great energy and expressed themselves very well on the stage. I thought Mess Of Me and Always were the best songs in the set. The stage production and lights were very good and made it easier for me to take pictures than it usually is at a small place like the Roxy.

I loved this 'evening with' format. It was the first time I saw a band play in this format and its usually at least 2 or 3 openers before the headliners hit the stage. This time it was Switchfoot alone. I wish more bands play these kinds of shows in the future as I feel its just perfect for the fans. I give kudos to Switchfoot for doing this!

Here's their complete setlist:

1. Needle And Haystack Life
2. Mess of Me
3. Your Love Is a Song
4. The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)
5. Enough to Let Me Go
6. Free
7. Hello Hurricane
8. Always
9. Bullet Soul
10. Yet
11. Sing It Out
12. Red Eyes