On Wednesday night, hundreds of people packed into Birmingham’s HMV Institute to watch one of the finest Christian bands make a rare UK appearance.

The San Diego rockers known as Switchfoot opened the evening with their single from 2009, “Mess Of Me”. Front man Jon Foreman, 35, was in his element and the energy on display from the band was not only relentless, but contagious. After a short rendition of fan favourite, “Oh! Gravity!”, the Grammy award winning band treated fans to the first of many new songs.

“The War Inside” is Switchfoot at their best. It’s one of many songs where the audience feels like they are peering in at Foreman’s private confessions. The singer’s conviction is heavy as he shouts: “I am the war inside, I am the battle line.”

After some heavy drumming, Tim Foreman launches into the unmistakable bass groove of “This Is Your Life”. Jon climbs the stack of speakers by the side of the stage and challenges the packed crowd; “Are you who you wanna be?” Jumping down he again screams the lyrics, this time into his guitar’s pickups. The sound reverberates across the venue and Switchfoot receive their biggest cheer of the evening so far.

“It’s hard to believe we’re halfway round the world,” Foreman muses. “It feels like family here.

“I’d like to play a song we’ve never played in the UK before”, he announces. “The Original” is made up of dirty guitar riffs, drum and bass led verses and a top notch, feel-good chorus. Foreman has the charisma of Bono, and the vocal ability to match. “Come on baby free yourself,” he sings as the crowd stare in appreciation at Drew Shirley’s guitar solo.

Another new song follows as Foreman whispers: “This is a mantra for me. I want to thrive, not just survive.” The lights dim and drummer Chad Butler switches to his electric kit. A soft keyboard sound reverberates around the room as Foreman laments: “No I’m not alright, I know that I’m not right. It feels like I travel but I never arrive. I wanna thrive, not just survive.”

As the stadium-sized “We Are One Tonight” starts up, Foreman jumps over the barrier which separates band from audience, and starts walking through the packed crowd, singing as he goes. Finally, he reaches the back of the venue and stands on top of a thin wall just in front of the sound desk.

The band looks on from the stage, a little bemused, but solid as ever. There’s no doubt that Foreman attracts all the attention, but despite being ignored, the other members of Switchfoot are enjoying themselves on stage and keeping the music going while the audience turn to gaze at the front man.

After a rousing rendition of “Needle and Haystack Life”, Foreman disappears from view again. “Where’s he gone?” “He could be anywhere, he could be in the toilet for all we know,” someone jokes.

Twenty seconds later, Foreman appears on the balcony to whoops and cheers. As the band play their soft rock tune “Restless”, Foreman shakes hands with the seated audience before peering over the edge and singing “I am restless, looking for you,” to the fans below him. Edging perilously close to the edge of the balcony, Foreman is eventually beckoned down and escorted back to the stage by security.

“Dare You To Move” has everyone singing along at the top of their lungs. The bold, loud and intense finale is only beginning. “Awakening”, new single “Dark Horses” and old classic “Meant To Live” end an incredible set.

An inevitable encore follows and one of the best songs Switchfoot have ever written in their 15 year history begins, “Where I Belong”.

“Someday when Switchfoot play their last show, I want this to be the last song we ever play,” Foreman declares.

“Where I Belong” is also the final track on new album Vice Verses and it has it all; A strong, driving beat, thoughtful lyrics and a catchy melody everyone can get behind. “I’m not sentimental, these skin and bones are a rental,” sings Foreman.

The band join in singing of a future hope where “the weak are finally strong” and the “righteous right the wrongs”. “Where I Belong” is Switchfoot’s philosophy and manifesto all wrapped up in one extraordinary song.

The band attempted to end the evening with the loudest song they’ve ever written. Dedicated to civil rights campaigner John M Perkins, “The Sound” contains a message of love and peace, underlined by heavy guitars.

It should have all ended there, but as the band walked off, the crowd responded by repeatedly singing the opening of “Hello Hurricane”. Switchfoot delighted their fans by coming back one last time to give the audience what they wanted – a final rendition of the popular track.

It’s unusual for Switchfoot to play such an intimate gig in the UK, and Birmingham was grateful for a night that will be remembered for a long time.

10/10


Set list:

Mess Of Me
Stars
Oh! Gravity
The War Inside
This Is Your Life
Your Love Is A Song
The Original
Thrive
We Are One Tonight / Shadow Proves The Sunshine
Needle And Haystack Life
Restless
Dare You To Move
Awakening
Dark Horses
Meant To Live

Encore

Where I Belong
The Sound

Second Encore

Hello Hurricane