| Friday, March 9, 2007 |
| [Part Deux:] Switchfoot in Vancouver: The ultimate conce-- er, shoeshining experience. |
A little introduction: In Part 1 of this entry, I tried to be poetic (a little too much?), but in Part 2 I tried to keep it more narrative. I've hesitated to finish this post for fear of seeming like I'm bragging about my experience (which, of course, isn't my intention. None of this feels like an achievement, but a privilege, simply because these guys are role models to me - inspired by them, I'm learning to crawl. So I'll wear my heart on my sleeve: meeting them, hanging with them, and watching them work was a huge blessing.) I don't think I'll review future concerts in such detail, but I promised a detailed review of this one to many people, so here you go, an honest account.
/Part 2/ (Part 1 is at the bottom of this post)
After Tim invited me into the venue at around 4pm (4 hours before the concert, to attend soundcheck), I was exchanging pleasantries with Jerome, etc. for a few minutes, then Tim said "let's go inside, Phil". I followed him, walking proudly (and dazed-ly) past the security guards, and as we approached the entrance to the concert hall, someone was standing right there at the door. Hailey. Hailey Gillen, from Seattle - I met her on the message boards, and we talk on IM often. I didn't expect to see her at soundcheck, but turns out she got some love too, and deservedly so - doing merch and following the band for 4 shows in a tour should have its perks, right? So we had a quick hello-hug. We knew we'd meet that evening, but the last thing we'd expected was to bump into each other at soundcheck, with Tim leading the way and me following him. Not in a position to give her the attention I wanted to, I took a few quick strides and caught up with Tim's heels.
This is where my memory gets a little hazy. The next thing I remember, the guys are up on stage getting ready for soundcheck, and I'm at the foot of the stage, an audience of one. Jon was facing Chad's drums, but then he turns around, sees me, and his face lights up. Breaking into one of those unrestrained smiles, I go "Hey Jon!" and he goes "Hey Phil!" at the same instant, and paces down towards me. Hug. He asked me how things were going, and once again I was amazed at how friendly and genuine he was. We talked for a bit, and most of our conversation had little to do with Switchfoot or Switchfeed. In fact, Switchfeed wasn't mentioned by anyone yet. We were just talking like long lost friends, and somehow I was completely at ease, not nervous or starstruck at all. I asked him if he was up for an acoustic set after the show, and that I'd got the manager at a nearby cafe to agree to let us. He was visibly excited at the suggestion, saying something like, "That's a great idea, man! We don't have a show tomorrow so I can afford to get rid of my voice! [laughter]" So I asked him what time we could get to the cafe, and then phoned the manager to let her know, but turns out the cafe would be closed at 11. Jon didn't seem affected by that: "Who cares if we can't get into a cafe, we could do it outside or something!" Me: "Yeah man, that'd be awesome!" Him: "Alright, let's do this, Phil! *insert fist-punch*" At this point, I think one of the other guys--who were waiting up on stage as Jon finishes talking to me--called out to him, so he says, "Excuse me Phil, gotta get back up there, we'll talk after soundcheck! :)"
Then Hailey left the merch table to join me, and we got a mini-concert right there, for just the two of us. :) They played "Betrayal", "4:12" a few times, "Life and Love and Why" a zillion times, and I got a whole bunch of recordings but my camera sucked. Oh well.
After soundcheck Jon skated around the concert hall. When he'd skate by me he'd look at me with the most childlike grin on his face - he seemed to be having so much fun in the moment, without a care in the world. It reminded me that the man and his message were very alike - just like it should be. The guys soon got away to the dressing room, while Chad stuck around, demonstrating their Do-It-Yourself ethic in spite of becoming as big as they have - he was getting stuff done at the merch table, setting up price tags with sharpie and paper, and stuff like that. He was there for a while, doing menial tasks, during which I caught a few words with him. I remember he said Mew is in his CD player.
Vicky Chiri (who did the tattoo post and comments here often) called me around that time, so I put her on the phone with Chad. Maybe this has something to do with me being Indian, but even though my accent is Canadian in most ways, I can't seem to get some things straight: like, the difference in pronunciation between a "v" and a "w". So turns out I introduced Vicky to Chad as "Wicky". Chad gets on the phone and goes, "Hello Wicky!" and giggles. (While I have no clue he's making fun of me.) I later found out he was, when Vicky brought it up on the phone with me afterwards. And apparently she'd responded, "Yeah, Chad, he always butchers my name!" I was like, "but you've never told me that!" Funny stuff. Anyway, Vicky then put me through a detailed how-to on pronouncing my Vs and Ws properly, so with much practice, I've got that straight now. Phew!
I chatted with the security guards a bit to kill time, and soon it was time for the doors to open. Hailey and I rushed to the front row and stood with elbows stuck out, to hold a spot for Cookie, another boardie who drove down from Seattle. Soon we saw her come into the hall, running, and Katie (another boardie friend) was alongside her, so it was the 4 of us "internet friends" (with Switchfoot fans it's not a weird concept), right up front. Amanda/~ali~ who's a mod at the officials, was a few rows behind us, but the guys right behind us (who had meanwhile become my new friends) very generously let her move up front with us. So from 2, our boardie army was now 5-strong! And boy, we were ready to watch the guys let rip their guitars. The crowd then breaks into the national anthem "O Canada!" in unison, which left the security guards very surprised and amused (they looked like they'd never seen something like that before). One of them, with a smirk on his face, told the guy behind us to take his hat off. And I remember wondering, "is it just me or is O Canada! slightly reminiscent of Oh! Gravity.?" Anyway.
Copeland sounded like a talented band, but in my opinion they have a long way to go in putting up a consistently interesting show. Not the best opener. But still, decent. I guess if you're already a fan, it would be different, but that show was my introduction to these guys, and I didn't come away feeling like I needed to get their CD. They seemed like nice guys, though. Aaron Marsh cracked a joke about how they get to see the Switchfoot guys in their underwear but we don't.
No comments, Aaron.
Soon enough, after surviving some torturous squeals, my ears were graced with the familiar guitar opening of "Oh! Gravity." This was it. The new songs, live, for the first time. I dropped all guard. Which was fun for me, but unfortunate for the young kid next to me (who had violently squeezed into the front row earlier), because there was no stopping me from jumping up and down with my arms flailing in the air as he slowly got pushed back out into the second row. Blame it on Switchfoot. Poor Amanda on my left, she must've borne a bit of it too. What can I say, the animal in me surfaces at Switchfoot shows. Jon and the guys seemed to enjoy watching me (and some others) rock out without any inhibition. I remember last time around, I was in the second row, and these girls at the front row stood through the show like statues - I remember it slightly annoyed me - I mean, ladies, you're not at a zoo, if you're gonna be at the front row, rock out or get out. (Sorry, couldn't stop that little rant from slipping into this.)
There was a truly special, transcendental moment at the show. It would have been the highlight of the evening for me if not for all the love I got from the guys. Shadow Proves The Sunshine. The song begins. It's one of my favourite Switchfoot songs, and I eagerly start singing along. Jon gets off the stage, walks to his right, singing. He turns left, and disappears into the back. The security guards have a priceless look of confusion on their faces, I'm still singing, they're wondering if they should follow Jon or stay put. This isn't business as usual, for them. Switchfoot is a little different, it seems. I'm singing. I still hear Jon singing. A thought slipped into my head: this song is the only prayerful song on their set. Maybe Jon felt it was more appropriate for him to be one among the crowd and belt it out with us, rather than be on stage with our arms oustretched towards him. He probably didn't want all the attention on himself when 2000 people sang "Oh Lord, don't be far away...". With renewed vigour, inspired, keeping the tear swelling up in my eyes under control, I shouted it out, my hands raised in the air. We are crooked souls trying to stay up straight. And Jon was one of us.
It was a moment and a half. A girl who was at the back later recounted how she randomly turned around during the song to be shocked at the sight of Jon standing right there with his mic, singing it out.
Soon enough, a dozen crowd-surfers later, an amazing show had come to it's end and the guys were gone. Or so I thought. The crowd cried "ONE MORE SONG!" repeatedly, and in a few moments, out walked Jon, acoustic in hand, and performed "24" (I was hoping for "Let Your Love", but you can't complain about "24".) Soon he began to play "Dare You To Move" on the acoustic and, in the darkness, the rest of the band had slipped back into their gear. All of a sudden, after the first verse and chorus, the light show came back on, and the big guitars kicked in. It was glorious. Now here comes the part regarding which I'm not sure how to put my feelings into words. So I'm just gonna go ahead and say it matter-of-factly. "Dare You To Move" had come to it's end. Jon thanked the crowd and as he began to turn around to the rest of the guys for their customary huddle at the end of shows, he turns back and walks straight towards me. My mind is racing, "What did I do? What's he gonna do?" He stops right in front of me, bends over from the stage, looks me right in the eye with the most sincere, approving look, and gently throws his guitar pick at me, making it the easiest catch. I was so stunned, I didn't even think of thanking him. And as if that wasn't enough, when the guys huddled and waved at the crowd, Tim looks at me and raises his arm to point right at me, nodding with his trademark smile. A shout-out from the stage. Is this just a dream or really happening? As the guys began walking away, Jerome looks me in the eye and smiles for a good few seconds. This turned out to be worth way more than 40 bucks. And to think they got me in for free.
Yeah. Even though there's a lot more to say, I feel like ending the review right there because writing about it feels like diminishing it a bit, besides I'm at a loss for words to describe how amazing they are for doing that, or how thankful I am.
But I'll continue for you guys. Wait, no, that's it for now, I'll do a (final) Part 3 later, alright? Thanks for reading!
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/Part 1/ (posted on 24th February, 2007):
The 19th of February, year 2007, will not be a day I forget easily. It was a day when I got to witness in person, from close quarters, the truth of every good thing about Switchfoot I'd heard, read, or seen on film over the years. It was a day that sealed the fact that I'd forever be uncomfortable about having a picture of them hanging on my wall. By the end of the night, I realized that (besides the show) I'd spent a total of around two hours with some or all the guys hangin' around me, yet I hadn't thought of getting anything autographed by them, and the only picture I got with any of them was the one with Jon that I posted here (which I didn't think of taking until I spotted the other boardies having a "photo session" with him)... and I wasn't one bit disappointed about either. Rather, I felt happier than I have in a long, long time. Well, joyful, to use a less yuppie word.
Allow me to retrace a few steps. When I first started switchFeed under a blogspot.com sub-domain, it was because I needed something to do, because I wasted too much time wallowing in laziness and apathy, and I didn't feel too useful in life. But initially it was just a casual venture, I didn't think much of it, I just wrote, and tried to write as best as I could whenever I did. It was mainly for myself, I didn't think someone was listening, or that someone was telling another fan about it. I didn't even make it public or advertise it - not even a post on the official boards... not until some people somehow landed on the blog and started leaving comments, and I suddenly realized I was playing with an idea that could be the next best addition to Switchfoot fandom. Long story short, by grace alone, here we are now, the only fan site/blog/whatever to ever get an official plug from the guys. But I'd never imagined it would've gotten to where it has today - not within less than 3 months of starting it! (Which reminds me, we'll hit the 3-month mark in 2 days.) So why am I saying all this? No, it's not my head getting bigger, my point is - I didn't do this so I could win cool points in the Switchfoot world, or get in the guys' good books. I never thought or hoped that one day I'd be standing in the queue for a Switchfoot concert 4 hours before showtime, alongwith 30-odd other fans who love the band just as much as me if not more, only to find myself being instantly recognized the very next minute, by Tim Foreman, who greets me with the most genuine smile spreading wide across his face, pasted over the pleasant sound of a how-have-you-been-phil, and asks me twice if I wanted to "waltz in for soundcheck", after which he escorts me into the venue and introduces me to Jerome, who's never seen me before, yet, to my utter surprise, his face lights up the room with a "Hey Phil! How you doing man?! Good to see you! *insert hug*"
But that's exactly what happened.
Later on, in the dressing room, I asked Jerome, "dude, how do you guys manage to do that? I mean, we haven't even met before!" His response: "You're famous, Phil, you're famous!" But this couldn't be about me, no--even last time around, before switchFeed happened, Tim had "listened like a hawk", and Jon had treated me like his brother, like an equal.
So my response was accentuated with a gentle pat on Jerome's tummy with the back of my hand, as if he needed to be reminded: "Hahah, no man, you're the famous one!" I mean, do they even realize that they're famous? They seem to be completely oblivious to it. Are these guys really rockstars? Who on earth are they?? No, seriously...? How many other bands' members go out of the way to make a fan feel more like the rockstar between the two of them? I would like to know.
...oh, no, I forget. Things work a little differently in this band's "last of the last finish first" Kingdom: We're fams. They're not Switchfoot. I'm not Indian. And having an unbelievable concert experience with Switchfoot isn't your American Dream.
A real one sounds more like it. That realness exuded by the guys is what helped me realize that an autograph is just a scribble with a pen, nothing more, nothing less.
(to be continued... watch this space for more on the shoeshining thing, etc.)
Labels: concert reviews. |
posted by phil @ 7:15 AM  
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| 35 Comments: |
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Well I, for one, am glad that you embarked upon this "casual venture", because it has increased my appreciation for Switchfoot a great deal. And I'm glad that good things have happened to you because of it - you deserve it for all the work you put into this. A great band deserves a great blog, and that is exactly what you have created. Keep up all the good work, Phil!
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phil, this post is so beautifully written...
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Phil, if anyone deserved that experience... you did.
I have been anxiously waiting a review from you, and this was an awesome start.
My appreciation for the guys have grown tremendously in one week; more than i ever would have thought possible! You are so right.. Who are these guys?!
Can't wait to hear the rest, Phil!
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For the love of philosophy and Switchfoot! Thanks for sharing not just your concert experience, but Switchfoot love, Phil.
I don't think I can thank you enough for this wonderful blog... I get to know some songs that I wouldn't otherwise get to know about etc. etc.
You're doing a great job, homeslice! (Vancouver, Ontario... what's the difference?) :D
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Eeep! Before anyone corrects me that one's a city and the other's a province, I meant that in a Vancouver=Toronto way. Sorry. 8D
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thats one amazing post keep up all this work all us sf fans appreciate what you do so much glad u had so much fun :)
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It's great to hear all those things. I don't think we'll ever see Switchfoot in glitz and glamour, and I that doesn't really disapoint me.
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I will always hope to be able to write my thoughts onto paper as you can.
very very beautifully written.
I can't wait to read what comes next.
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wow, you guys are too kind. =] thanks a lot. thanks for reading! i really appreciate it.
the second one's coming soon.
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...by the way, here's a video of our switchfoot experience in vancouver, in case you're interested. :o)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdKLTtwzzas
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*****PART 2 of this post has just been posted*****
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to be honest...part 1 was a little over the top. :-) Great review!
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^haha i had a feeling it was, when i read it later. but i promise, it was honest. if it wasn't what i felt like saying at that point, i wouldn't have posted it. but now that the whole experience has sunk in, i can write about it more matter-of-factly, which is better. i'm learning. :) thanks!
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WOW! You are one lucky guy! I can't even imagine being in your position!!!!!!!.... WOW! AWESOME POST! WOW!
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You left out hearing my beautiful voice on the phone. - I am saddened. Well, you were pretty distracted, so I forgive you.
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I can't wait to see them. Of course, I'll probably be wondering what half the songs are, and spending half my time staring at the guitars (oh how I love guitars)... :p
Btw, I really like Copeland - been a fan for a while - wonder how they'll match my expectations!
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@rose
i didn't mention hailey, cookie, and myself going to the nearby coffeeshop before the doors opened and chilling there for a bit, either. it was on the way there that i spoke to you. in spite of leaving out these littler details, the post is so freakin long, haha. if i mentioned everything (like a transcript of the conversation me and jon had...well that i left out for other reasons), then people wouldn't care to read.
@AM
you're a fan, so i think you'd enjoy it more.
and you better get your switchfoot catalog pat down, else i'm gonna fire you! :p
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Wow,Phil. You sure are famous! I'm glad you had a good time at the show. I hope to have as much fun as you did when my first time to go to a Switchfoot concert comes. :)
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How jealous am I right now, Phil? I bet I would've rocked out like you did. :D
This is better than morning coffee btw, it's better than a Happy Pill, dammit! ;D (Oooh, I just let my tendency for bad pun out -- Phil = pill, fill???)
Thanks for the lovely post, and I'm tuning in for part 3!!!
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props (haha.. sorry i am not at all gangsta.. just having fun) for rocking out in the front row, definitely the only way to do it. i think i still have a bruise on my elbow from jumping and hitting it on the barrier rail thing last week. that was an excellent reveiw, phil - you're talented, famous, and my word you can write!!!
thanks for sharing the switchfoot love like always,
Justine
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I'm quite suprised i wasn't jealous of this.
I'm just so incredibly happy for you. You totally deserve it. :)
<33333
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Phil, I was being cute/sarcastic. Chill much?
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Yes Phil....that was stellar! And I too am glad that you had such an amazing experience
And in reference to '...and somehow I was completely at ease, not nervous or starstruck at all' I think that's the beauty of Switchfoot, that they make you feel like you're an equal, just there to talk and share some good times. I was expecting to get all tongue-tied in true starstruck fan fashion, but surprisingly, I wasn't, and neither were you so it seems.
So kudos to you Phil, for the blog, the amazing opportunity, and just, for being amazing all around :D
I would be jealous, or possibly envious is a better word...but I'm too busy being happy
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OMG...wow Phil! What a beautiful experience. reading your blog (it's called a blog right?) makes me love switchfoot even more. To be honest, I'm a tad envious..but hey! you totally deserve it. I love your site! Can't wait to read part 3!
Switchfoot rocks my heart!
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btw, I've been meaning to tell you this...your I loved your interpretation of 4:12. Funny thing is...I went to my first bible study the other day and one of the verses I learned about was Hebrews 4:12.
btw #2 hahaha "wicky".. lol
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'arms flailing in the air!' Lol, that was hilarious :) yes, let's blame it on Switchfoot! i tend to 'stand like a statue', though *hides with embarrassment* but mainly because that's how i feel i best experience switchfoot...i don't jump around, but i just absorb the band's energy and the crowd's energy (sometimes literally - as in physical energy ooof), and i sing along, scream along, and cry along when Jon calls for it...!
Ah, Switchfoot! the only band with whom you could laugh, sing, scream, and cry with for completely different reasons at the same time. just like good friends. :)
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oh p.s. i second mabel's comment above. i love what you wrote about 4:12. :o)
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Both parts are wonderfully written and make me feel like I could read about this (concert experience) all day.
Sounds completely amazing. Seriously can't wait for the third part, Phil!
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Love the review, Phil! :)
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you guys are great for reading through that longass thing.
and thanks for all the lovely comments. you lot are sweet people.
and i just wanna say it'd be a stretch to say i'm famous. the boardies know me, the readers on this site know me, and switchfoot knows me - that's it, how does that make me famous? :)
oh yeah! the bible names a whole book after me in which St. Paul writes a letter to me and stuff. so i guess that counts...
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LOL ....I don't have a bible section dedicated to me. =( HOWEVER, if you add an M infront of Abel you get ME! mabel! that...that counts! (sorry I'm desperate......)
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so it was the 4 of us "internet friends" (with Switchfoot fans it's not a weird concept)
hahaha so true... I've been to more sf concerts with "internet friends" than my "real-life" friends (although I consider the boardies I've met to be both)
it's very cool to read your story and see how awesome the guys were to you... they're just so incredibly normal and loving towards us fans... it always blows me away.
and oh yeah, I love copeland but their live performance was pretty boring.
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@Phil...I've done the 'v'/'w' thing too on occasion! It was great...so you're not the only cool one :D
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wow phil sounds like an incredible experience! That part at the end of the show where the guys all looked at you reminds me of the last show I went to where I had a similar experience. and I'll never forget it! Those guys are incredible! anyway, can't wait to hear the rest! I'm sure it just get's better and better!!!
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Well I, for one, am glad that you embarked upon this "casual venture", because it has increased my appreciation for Switchfoot a great deal. And I'm glad that good things have happened to you because of it - you deserve it for all the work you put into this. A great band deserves a great blog, and that is exactly what you have created. Keep up all the good work, Phil!