Switchfoot’s summer tour with Collective Soul made a stop in Cary, North Carolina at the beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre on September 7. After an early evening shower made some of us a bit nervous about the show happening on schedule, the skies cleared off just before gates opened. It turned into a rather beautiful evening and perfect for some awesome live music. It has been 25 years since the band released its debut studio album The Legend of Chin and, much to my surprise, this show is the first time that I’ve managed to catch the band live. After a short, solo acoustic set by Jade Jackson, the band took to the stage welcomed by a mighty roar from the crowd. Jon Foreman and the guys immediately tore into the song “Take My Fire” from 2019’s Native Tongue album. They also did an amazing cover of The Beastie Boys’ classic “Sabotage” which took many of us by surprise. In another surprising move, lead vocalist Jon Foreman ventured out into the venue and sang while doing so. He took selfies, gave hugs and high fives and walked all throughout the seats and lawn seats. He eventually made it back to the stage and finished the show there. He was enjoying performing so much and that kind of energy is so contagious when you’re in the crowd. That guy is such a beacon of positivity and happiness. The band’s setlist spanned over eight albums with 2016’s Where The Light Shines Through receiving the most attention with five tracks being played from it. It’s amazing how hearing just the first few chords of some of these songs can immediately take you back in time. The power of music is an amazing thing and so is this band. I knew they were going to be good, but they absolutely blew me away. 

Review and pix by I’m Music Magazine Owner/Editor Johnny Price