| Monday, March 5, 2007 |
| Oh! Happy. (a reader's concert review) |
One of our readers, Mukta Wad, graciously sent me an email with a review of the Toronto show she went to, and reading through it made me feel her joy - which not all reviews do. So if you wanna live it through her, here it is:
Oh! Happy.
Ok....granted, I haven't been a fan for a very long time, but still it doesn't make me love them any less. I think the first time that I really started to listen intently to their music was when 'A Walk to Remember' came out in theaters. I'd heard Dare you to move, and thought it was amazing....and heard it in the movie. I went home and looked them up, and thought, hmmm, Switchfoot, interesting name. And, it sort of grew from there really. Grew, grew and grew some more, and then, at the pinnacle of everything awesome, there was Feb, 28 2007, a night which I doubt I'll ever forget.
The show happened at the Kool Haus, in Toronto, and unfortunately, I had a class that day, 2 hours before the concert, so my dreams of lining up 4 hours early were crushed...oh well...
Copeland came on first, and although I'd never heard their music before ( and actually, I couldn't hear it then either...the words sounded really garbled to me...) it was alright.
I felt bad at one point however, because some guy in the crowd yelled out 'We want Switchfoot' in the middle of Copeland's performance...and although admittedly, I was just as anxious as him to see Switchfoot, I felt sorry for them....but anywho
Once Copeland were finished, there was a half hour wait while Switchfoot's guitars and general equipment were being tested. The wait felt really really long, but finally when the lights went off, and the screaming started, you could feel the energy rise in the room, and what a start it was! Stars, followed by Politicians and Oh! Gravity in a row without a break, it was breathtaking! I couldn't believe how awesome it sounded live, in some cases, I think some songs were better live. Jon just has an amazing stage presence, he makes you feel like you're part of the effect, not just a bystander. Singing along to all the songs that I love, and surrounded by people who share the same feelings, and at the cost of sounding cliche and lame, I think, in those moments, when the entire room was belting out the much loved lyrics, we really were all 'One tonight'.
There was a point where being situated at the back had it's advantage...because half way through the show, Jon decided to take a little trip, which happily ended up being on top of the sound box at the back of the room. Standing there, so close to him and his mic, and watching him sing and singing along, when it was clear that both he and his audience were having the best time, was spectacular. One of the highlights of the evening was screaming 'Gone' at the top of my lungs with one of my good friends....that will forever be our song. Another good memory was when Jon attempted to create a song on the spot involving the disco ball hanging on the ceiling above us. It actually was pretty good seeing as how he sang it as he made it up ( It had to to do with not knowing where the song was going, but that it would be getting there pronto, rhymes with Toronto). And even though the music video featuring said disco ball and Jon in a sparkly disco-ball matching outfit will never be produced, it will always have a very special place in my memory!
Once they left the stage, and a chorus of 'one more song' was taken up by the audience, Jon came back out and did 'Only hope' which sounded awesome, and then the whole band trooped back out for a smashing finale of 'Dare you to move' which has a special place in my heart because it was the song that introduced me to the band.
After it was over, there was a sense of complete and total happiness, but also sadness that it was over. However, more Switch-related excitement was to come..oh yes! After picking up a copy of that night's official bootleg ( I love that oxymoron) we trooped outside.
Soon, much to the excitement of devoted fans, out came Jon from the back door. And it was a spectacle....I felt sorry for him initially, because had he been claustrophobic, he would have suffered a sever attack...but he didn't seem to mind that there were 30-40 people tightly packed in around him, all waiting to talk to him...I marvelled at his patience, and also at the fact that he truly seemed to be enjoying it. I got my autograph, and I got my picture, and I got my happy! lots and lots of happy. But, hands down, my favourite moment of the night came, when I finally got to the the front, and introduced myself, at which point he said, 'Hi, nice to meet you, my name's Jon'....in my head I was thinking...bloody hell...that's so cute, to think that you think I wouldn't know who you were... ( I seriously don't think he realizes that he's famous) I wanted to hug him, but I restrained myself. But gosh, he's really down to earth, so easy to talk to, and just, an all around nice guy. He made you feel like you mattered, and weren't just a fan, but a part of the experience. It felt great to be honest!
And although I was happy, really really happy at that moment, life would have been just that teensiest bit greater if I'd gotten to see Tim, not only because his attempts to get onto Canadian Idol were one of the funniest things I've ever seen, but also because he's funny, and plays bass like a god. But...right when I thought that the night couldn't get any better, out he came too. I told him about my greif over his failed attempts at landing a spot on Canadian Idol ( he laughed)...truly, I think he and Drew would have made it till the end!
I missed the rest of the band though, but at least Jon did a little mini-aftershow out there in the cold on someone's guitar. He did 24 and Revenge, and nothing warms you up on a cold winter night like being huddled around Jon Foreman listening to an acoustic version of 24. It's true!
That about ended the night...and when we were leaving we passed by Jon again and he waved, and again I felt that feeling of camaraderie which I hadn't really expected. Although from the podcasts and the videos and the amazing depth and character of the music they make, you could tell that they definitely weren't your average plastic band, I was amazed at the friendliness that they showed. And props to Jon, he really does enjoy his music; he only played 2 songs because his hands were getting cold, but when someone commented that he was a trooper for doing it out there in the cold, he replied by saying that he loved singing and it wasn't an issue. I got the sense that as long as there were people there to enjoy his music, he'd sing it to the world simply because it made him and the people listening happy. So, truly all around an amazing band on and off stage, and an amazing night!
- Mukta Wad
Labels: concert reviews. |
posted by phil @ 3:53 AM  
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| 14 Comments: |
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Lots of snaps for Mukta! :D
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seriously, i almost cried at that
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what an amazing review, mutka :) and I agree with the things you said.
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That's one memory I will never trade if I'm in your position.. They are simply the best. And you're one lucky person to get to know and see them upclose.
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I really felt what you were writing! I can relate to how you started liking the band and loving them more and more along the way.. aww.. thanx for sharing Mukta! I'm playing The Blues right now which puts me to a more emo mood, lol. We're happy for you and everyone of us who have experienced the joy with Switchfoot!
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great review, Mukta. I know the feeling.. ;)
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wow, that was one of the best reviews I've ever read!
i feel like I was there and yeah I feel a little happier now hahah
amazing
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that was an amazing review! that concert was something i will not soon forget, though i'm extraordinarily peeved that i had to leave and miss tim & the mini-show. oh well, you can't have everything (and my sister had a midterm next day, so we had to drive her to hamilton!). i don't know, you just captured the feeling perfectly! i still can't believe how polite Jon was, after meeting everyone he'd ask their name and say "it's nice to meet you _____". it was incredible, and i respect that man even more after experiencing firsthand his kindness and patience for a bunch of goofs getting his name on posters and posing in pictures..
but oh! what a switchfooty family we are!
Justine
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awesome review! I can't wait for my first switchfoot concert! :)
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That was a very enjoyable review.
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Aww thanks guys, that makes me feel all warm inside, and Switchfootprincess, you're really in for a treat, a SF concert is just...wow.
But just to clarify, I'm actually not a guy! I'm a very feminine actually. But I realized that when I sent Phil my e-mail, I hadn't actually hinted at my gender, and as my name isn't one you hear all the time, it makes sense
but I'm glad you enjoyed reading it, I definately enjoyed experiencing and writing about it.
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I figured you weren't a guy when you said "I was thinking...bloody hell...that's so cute"
It made me laugh too. And that is so cute. It's like he doesn't know he's famous.
But great review! I loved reading every bit of it and I hope my experience on the 17th is just as great as yours was!
Thanks Mukta and Phil.
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That was an awesome review!! I'm glad you had such an awesome time.
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LOL MUTKA! I found you! I was at the show with her. I think she forgot to mention about a little incident involving Tim, me, her, and my camera in this review. =P. I'll let her share it if she wants. It's more embarrassing on my part than hers anyway =D
great review!
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Lots of snaps for Mukta! :D