Relient K / Switchfoot
Stubb’s
Austin, Texas
Nov. 17
Switchfoot hit the road with compatriots Relient K hot off the heels of the release of their latest album, Where the Light Shines Through. While many tours really feel like a promotion for a new album, this one did not. Nor did it feel like a big Vegas nostalgia act. It felt like an important show, yet playing for an audience for which it had nothing to prove. This was a party and Relient K was almost an equal billing main attraction. In fact, it kind of was a co-headlining show, with each band playing a 75-minute set.
The first thing to notice was the fun, goofy and casual stage setup that Relient K used. Lawn chairs, a BBQ grill, Coca-Cola cooler and large buffalo statues? It kind of let the audience know that this band didn’t take itself too seriously and they like to have fun. And we were all about to have some real fun.
They started off with the kind of hook-filled punch that they’re known for — smart, well-crafted pop songs well within the rock genre but squarely inside a Beatlesque-like harmony and sing-along for the new millennium. Some bands understand the songwriting craft and just have a penchant for drawing up melodies that’ll stick in your brain and tease your tongue into singing along. So it is with Matt Thiessen and company. The crowd was attentive and quickly warmed up to the smiles and upbeat beats that this band from Ohio had to bring. They wasted no time introducing each song, but kept the set moving right out of the gate with “High of 75,” “Bummin’,” “Don’t Blink” and “The One I’m Waiting For.”
The band played a good slew of tunes from its career, spanning mostly their last three albums (Mmhmm, Forget and Not Slow Down and 2016’s Air for Free). So many of the songs from Air for Free I was hearing for the first time. If you would have told me later that they’d include seven brand new songs, I might’ve cringed with the anticipation of tuning out at that many unfamiliar songs. I guess that would have been the case if they hadn’t been so darn good. “Runnin'” with its soaring guitar tone was cool and “God” was a standout with its simple yet confident vocals. The second was kind of a worship and declarative testimony song, with proclamations like, “Let Your kingdom come” and “I believe in God.” The snapping and chugging rhythm of the title track, “Air for Free,” is infectious like most of the band’s catalog. The goofy-titled “Mrs. Hippopotamuses'” sounded fun and big-vocal lo-fi alt-rock-like. This was followed by the actually goofy but witty, “Crayons Can Melt on Us for All I Care.” They got more serious and straight up rock with a blistering performance of “I Don’t Need A Soul,” but then swung it back around to the tongue-in-cheek and innocent sentimentality they based their early reputation on with “Mood Rings” and “Sadie Hawkins Dance.” It was hard to believe over an hour had gone by, as the band didn’t waste any time between songs.
“Be My Escape” captivated the large outdoor audience’s attention with “Be My Escape” and it felt like we’d all spent some serious energy and there was certainly some bubble gum pop joy in the air. For a final number they played the epic “Deathbed,” which successfully grabbed everyone’s attention with the slow, somber yet bouncing story-song. It was no surprise but still a treat to see Jon Foreman walk out to add his vocals for the character of Christ at the end of the song, where he poignantly reveals his spiritual identity — “I – am – love.”
The Switchfoot stage setup was a lot more stripped down, which told a slightly different story of what was to come.
In between acts a large video screen played a few messages. One static message promised a free live song download if you texted a short SMS number. Shortly after signing up I received a selfie from the band, looking like it was taken backstage. These thoughtful ways to “connect” to the band share a personal touch that’s invaluable. Prior to the next headliner set, a large video screen started a countdown. Then the members of Switchfoot were shown backstage and walking toward the stage. It was a cool “glimpse” into the band. Then the screen showed a shot of the Austin skyline. The crowd was amped. Tim, Chad, Drew and Jerome took their places on stage amidst loud cheering as everyone’s energy was peaking at the same time. Jon Foreman’s silhouette appeared on the screen a la Michael Jackson.
Switchfoot came on and a thoroughly warmed up and happy crowd roared with approval. This wouldn’t be a challenging show for Switchfoot, as they thoroughly were playing for an audience of friends. It was a fun celebration that still had the passion that aggression that an earnest artist brings to the stage. They’re a rock band, for crying out loud, and they came to rock.
They launched right in to “Holy Water,” the lead-off strack from Where the Light Shines Through. Next they played “Meant to Live,” which was kind of unexpected since not every band will play their biggest hit as the second song in the set. Nevertheless, it sounded as good as ever despite the lack of anticipation and build-up. “Oh! Gravity” and “Gone” took the show up a few notches energy-wise and then they caught their collective breath and played “Where the Light Shines Through” and “I Won’t Let You Go” back-to-back.
“Love Alone is Worth the Fight” brought more hooks and melodic poetry to the night, giving the frontman and his band the welcome platform to express hope and truth in song. Then they changed the dynamic with an acoustic version of “Hello Hurricane,” which was energetic even without full-on electric accompaniment. Then “If the House Burns Down Tonight” brought more passionate truth underscoring the power and priority of love and people.
This dynamic swell was book-ended by the sharp and hard riffing of “The Sound,” which Foreman was sure to point out was subtitled “John M. Perkins’ Blues.” It was also another chance for the frontman to interact with the crowd. With spotlight in hand, it was his Bono moment, which included a few well-placed dramatic lines of, “looking for America.” It was a nice moment that worked to add another takeaway memory from the show.
“Where I Belong” and “Float” kept the party atmosphere going and “Live it Well” was another affirming, encouraging and exhortation moment shared by artist with their family, their friends, their fans. Just like the previous set, 75 minutes flew by and the band launched into its closer, “Dare You to Move,” which also peppered in lyrics from another song in a brief bridge-like departure — “the wound is where the light shines through” before the power chords crash back in and “welcome to the fallout!”
Switchfoot seemingly brought a calculated show that I’m sure was meticulously planned out and it all worked to perfection. The latest theme, the message from Where the Light Shines Through and its music was presented in large helpings, but it never felt like an ad for the latest album nor was there any down times or throwaway songs. It was pure musical delight for the Switchfoot family and a solid display of heartfelt tunes played with energy that even a stranger would feel welcomed in.
—Review and photos by Doug Van Pelt
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