On June 26, Switchfoot released its fourteenth studio album, Forever Now. The concept album features the band’s signature anthems about love, hope, loss, and meaning, but framed around a person’s final moments on Earth. Despite this premise, its lyrics remain as relatable as those on any previous Switchfoot album, especially in today’s world. To celebrate the release, the band launched an extensive North American tour running from September through November and reaching nearly every state.

Longtime friends Anberlin opened every show on the tour. On November 11, the band will release Currency, its first full-length album with new vocalist Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire. Although the lineup change has sparked debate among fans, Anberlin’s live show remains as strong as it was with Stephen Christian. Their set included familiar songs from their first four albums and the band’s energy remained at 100% regardless of who was singing. They also performed all their new songs written with Matty and appeared to win this crowd over. After Currency is released, perhaps they will add “Trenches,” into their set which since it features Switchfoot. If there is any tour to have this song played it would be this one. Whatever your opinion of this version of Anberlin, to be honest, I would rather have it than no Anberlin at all.

If there is one takeaway from a Switchfoot show, it is hope. The positivity radiating from the stage is infectious and it was the first concert I had attended in a long time where everyone seemed to share the same feeling. I did not hear a single negative comment, and lead singer Jon Foreman made it a point to uplift and acknowledge as many people as possible. Because the tour is celebrating the band’s latest album, Forever Now, this set leaned heavily on those songs. Yet after only about four months, the crowd already knew every word and embraced the new material like any other Switchfoot favorite.

Given enough time, I think Jon Foreman would greet everyone at the show. By the fourth song, he was already in the crowd, hugging fans and shaking hands while singing the new song “YFWYA.” He eventually reached the back of the venue, sent his guitar crowd-surfing, and finished the song near the soundboard. On his way back to the stage, he stopped for more hugs and handshakes. If it had been up to him, I think he would have stayed in the crowd all night.

As if that were not enough to show what makes a Switchfoot concert special, a woman in the crowd was wearing a wedding dress. The band explained that she and her fiancé had met at the same venue during Switchfoot’s “Beautiful Letdown Tour” about three years earlier. They had returned for their bachelor and bachelorette celebration before their upcoming wedding. At their request, Switchfoot performed “Needle and Haystack Life”, and although the band could not attend the wedding, they promised to send flowers.

Throughout the show, the band drew from nearly every album, including fan requests “The Sound” and “Daisy.” For about an hour and a half, Switchfoot created a memorable sense of connection with the crowd. Many bands take the stage, play their songs, stir emotions, and leave. Switchfoot offers more, whether that is Jon entering the crowd or taking song requests, they meet fans on equal ground rather than simply performing and moving on. They give each audience member something lasting, hope, hope that purity and goodness still exist in the world.

Switchfoot

Anberlin