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Starting in 1996, the band have become known for their alternative rock guitar driven tracks and their ability to mix it up with more slow tempo songs intertwined with elegant string arrangements. With influences ranging from U2 to Bob Dylan and Dave Matthews Band has provided them with universal appeal. Often labelled as ‘an alternative Christian rock band’ as a result of tremendous support from several Christian rock radio stations based on the band’s personal beliefs. In a 2003 interview with Rolling Stone, frontman Jon Foreman spoke up on the categorisation by stating “We’re Christian by faith, not genre”.
In 2002, four Switchfoot tracks (including the hits: “Dare You to Move” and “Learning to Breathe”) featured heavily in the blockbuster “A Walk to Remember” garnering interest with several record labels. Making the decision to sign with Sony BMG, the band released their first major label album “The Beautiful Letdown” in 2003 which helped catapult them into the mainstream allowing them to successful complete the crossover transition. The critically acclaimed album was a huge success, selling over 2.6 million copies and achieving double platinum status.
Experimenting with stylistic nuances meandering through their distinctive sound and incorporating synth elements created another dimension to the band’s musical ingenuity and extending their widespread appeal.
Mirrored by their various successes, throughout their lengthy career Switchfoot have been highly revered by the industry amassing several accolades including: a Grammy Award in 2011 for the album “Hello Hurricane” as Best Rock or Gospel Album, three ASCAP awards and 11 GMA Dove Awards.
As a band who constantly tour their extensive back catalogue, Switchfoot have built up a passionate following and incredible reputation for the energetic and memorable performances.
Anberlin since 2007 has had a consistent line-up of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, bassist Deon Rexroat, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney and drummer Nathan Young. Before the advent of Anberlin, members of the band formed the punk band called ‘SaGoh 24/7’ which had two releases, “Servants After God’s Own Heart” in 1999 and “Then I Corrupt Youth” two years later in 2001. Shortly after, the band recorded five demos, which they posted on mp3.com and signed with the label Tooth & Nail Records.
The band’s sound is characterised by Christian’s soaring and lofty vocals, combined with alternative rock and pop/punk elements and have been compared to the sound of Third Blind Eye. Due to their attachment to the label Tooth & Nail Record the Anberlin has often been referred to as a Christian band however lead singer Stephen has dismissed the association.
May 2003 brought the band’s debut album entitled “Blueprints for the Black Market” and on the back of played shows alongside the likes of Fall Out Boy and Story of the Year. Anberlin’s February 2005 follow-up album “Never Take Friendship Personal” featuring new guitarist Nathan Strayer charted at No. 144 on the Billboard 200 and
The band’s third album “Cities” released in early 2007 and produced by Aaron Sprinkle signalled Anberlin’s move into the mainstream, charting well at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and receiving positive reviews the band, it represented a more mature approach to lyrics and music production.
After this success Anberlin signed to the major label Universal Republic in August 2007 and released their fourth studio album name “New Surrender” produced by Fall Out Boy and New Found Glory producer Neal Avron in September 2008. In support of the album the band toured the U.S. alongside Scary Kids Scaring Kids, There For Tomorrow and Starlight Run.
Anberlin’s fifth studio album “Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place” saw the band work with Grammy winning producer Brendan O’Brien and tour with 30 Seconds to Mars. Their sixth album “Vital” returned the band to long-term producer Aaron Sprinkle and showed a darker side to their music. The band released their seventh album in October 2013 and announced they were disbanding after their 2014 tour.
Switchfoot live is a completely immersive 1990s-and-onward Christian music concert experience. Lights, action, fog, heavy music, and uplifting banter are all hallmarks of a Switchfoot concert.
In a move similar to Jars of Clay and bands like Mercy Me, Relient K, and Zoe Girl the alternative rockers go hard. Muted colours ranging from blue to yellow bathe the stage and the band as they showcase their passion for music, God, and their fans.
Jon Foreman pushes his vocals into a smoky territory as he moves through the set list and the other members keep an inspired tempo and Tim aids with vocals. Progressing from the hard and heavy to the longing, Switchfoot maintains their intensity and prance around the stage full of energy for their fans.
As “Saltwater Heart” fades into “Meant to live” the energy levels merely shift rather than dropping and the plaintive notes take on an intensity of their own. A short break in the singing gives Tim a chance to engage the audience and he sets a haunting echoing call and return refrain with the audience. The music is obviously planned for this and the audience seems more like performers rather than observers.
Being involved with such a great band leaves me with a sense of oneness with myself and God. The band calls the set "summertime songs" and they remind me of years past in summer youthgroups, camps, retreats, and advances.
With Anberlin, music and performance go hand in hand. As soon as the band hit the stage, the air is already filled with excitement as audience cheer, with the loudest applause for charismatic frontman Stephan Christian as he enters the stage last. His only request for the night is ‘I want you to sing as loud as you can, this night is yours’. With seven albums worth of material to cover is almost like a lottery, with of course favourites such “We Owe This To Ourselves”, “Impossible” and “Dismantle.Repair” to name a few. Whatever the set list selection, you know you’ll be highly entertained for the next 75 minutes. Christian’s breathy vocals are pitch perfect as he swings the mic lead around his head like a lasso commandeering any available space on stage. Crowd participation is a vital aspect of any Anberlin show as Christian demands ‘I wanna see this entire place moving!’ as they play “Feel Good Drag” the audience enthused by the electric atmosphere proceed to bounce up and down, waving their arms in the air as they sing the words from the top of their lungs. There’s no doubt of the passion which Anberlin fans possess kindly received and reciprocated by the band. The dramatic lights and the extended guitar distortion combined with electronic beats used as an interlude gets the crowd pumped even more, screaming as they clap in unison. Coming back for an encore “(Fin)” couldn’t be a finer choice as they play acoustically. At just under nine minutes long, this song was definitely made to be performed live as the crowd wave their lighters in the air. The performance is epic in all proportions not only because it’s a brilliantly beautiful track, but because Anberlin truly put all their heart and soul in it stirring an overwhelming wave of emotion in the crowd leaving you with goose bumps until the only word you can muster is ‘Wow!’ With a combination of explosive energetic performances intertwined with beautiful acoustics every time you witness an Anberlin show, you’re bound to be shown a new dimension of their live experience. And with that comes new found appreciation of their material as though this is the first time you’re are listening/watching them and falling in love with Anberlin all over again.
EvieCriedWolf
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