Switchfoot Rocks Roberts Wesleyan College

Roberts Wesleyan College, located just outside Rochester, NY, played host Sunday night to San Diego-based rockers, Switchfoot. The concert was the finale of a day-long Open House and Admissions event. Prospective students enjoyed an Open House, Admissions session, and free dinner before the show.

Opening act Mae impressed the crowd and got them psyched for Switchfoot to come onstage at 8 p.m.

Upon arriving onstage, Switchfoot tantalized the fans by playing the intro to their hit single "Meant To Live" before breaking off into other hits and favorites. Songs featured included tracks off their last album, Oh, Gravity, including the title track, "American Dream", "Dirty Second Hands", "Awakening", and "Faust". Songs from their double-platinum album, The Beautiful Letdown included "This is Your Life", "Ammunition", "Gone", and of course "Meant to Live" and "Dare You To Move". They also played their new single, "This is Home," from the upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, as well as many others, like "Fireflies".

Switchfoot is an alternative band that got its start back in 1996 in San Diego, California. Their name comes from a surfing term that literally means to change your footing and to take on the wave in a different way. It's the way that they approach life and music in general.

Switchfoot released three cds, gaining a following in alternative and Christian rock circles, before being accepted in the mainstream following their contributions to the soundtrack for A Walk to Remember. In that movie, Mandy Moore covers their song "Only Hope". Other songs include "Learning to Breathe", "You", and "I Dare You to Move". This paved the way for their follow-up album The Beautiful Letdown to have great success.

Despite being touted a Christian band, Switchfoot is not overly preachy in their music and lyrics. In concert, they talk about unity and having a greater purpose in life. And most importantly, they absolutely rock.

Jon Foreman's (lead singer) punk roots are obvious in his passion for his music and general stage presence: playing guitar with his face, climbing on the drum set and lighting fixtures. His vocals and guitar are backed by his brother Tim Foreman on bass, Chad Butler on drums and percussion, Jerome Fontamillas on keyboard and guitar, and Drew Shirley on guitar. The longevity of the band is obvious in the tightness of their sound.

In addition to the rock was a ton of flashing lights, which were impressive considering the show was in a gymnasium.

Girls were especially excited when Foreman jumped off the stage during "Awakening". Fans swarmed him to shake his hand and take close-up pictures.

One young man, celebrating his twentieth birthday, had the honor of going up onstage and introducing the band.

The opportunity to see this band in a small venue, in conjunction with hearing "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move" live at the end of the show, made the $25 at-the-door ticket worth every penny.

Switchfoot returns to San Diego on Monday, May 5th to complete work on their upcoming cd. They will perform "This is Home" from Prince Caspian on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

Sources:

Switchfoot Official Website http://www.switchfoot.com

Wikipedia entry for "Switchfoot" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchfoot