Switchfoot and Relient K @The Fillmore Charlotte, NC 11-2-16

This Wednesday the crowd at the Fillmore Charlotte was treated to not one but two rocking bands with Switchfoot and Relient K bringing their “Looking For America” tour to the Queen City. With no opening act, both bands were able to perform full sets igniting the evening with passion and emotion.

The Ohio natives Relient K started the night off hitting the stage with jackets on and hoods up to the sounds of Kid Rock’s “Badwitaba” playing on the loudspeakers. The band is a bit alternative rock and a bit pop punk with a lot of acoustic tunes thrown into the mix. They have had their fair share of lineup changes over the years but original members frontman Matt Thiessen and lead guitarist Matt Hoopes remain on board. This was clearly Thiessen’s show as the band ran through an extensive set of 19 songs. The first thing I noticed about Relient K was the quality of their sound in a live setting. Thiessen’s voice was spot on and full of emotion all night long and he took time between songs to talk to the audience a bit and introduce the songs. He dedicated the performance of “Mountaintop” to the back doorman who was celebrating his 6th wedding anniversary and about to go on a weekend getaway to the mountains. He also took a few minutes to talk about the charity Cure International which provides life changing surgeries and medical treatments for children. Other highlights of the night included a rousing “Mrs. Hippopotamus'” which had Matt donning a Cleveland Browns hat and the audience singing along to the “O-H-I-O” chorus complete with arm movements reminiscent of “YMCA.” The mix of songs was well thought out and offered a good variety of older and newer songs including an upbeat inspirational version of “Look On Up” and the epic set closer “Deathbed” which had Thiessen returning to the piano for a poignant vocal performance.

Just when it seemed the night couldn’t possibly get any better, it was time for Switchfoot to take the stage. The band made serious waves in the Christian rock scene early on and really broke through the mainstream market with their major label debut “The Beautiful Let Down.” Led by original members frontman Jon Foreman, bassist Tim Foreman and drummer Chad Butler, Switchfoot put on a fantastic show with heavy alt rockers and beauitful acoustic numbers. The band members took the stage one by one with huge LED screens at the rear of the stage which changed throughout the evening and a drum riser stage right and a keyboard riser stage left. Their set kicked off with a few high powered numbers “Holy Water” and one of their early hits “Meant To Live.” The concert was the same night as the final game of the 2016 World Series and Jon took a moment to announce to the crowd that the score was 5-1 Cubs and would update us a few more times throughout the night though the show would be long over before we all found out the actual winner. The band’s energy was through the roof with Jon walking the barricade to reach out and shake hands with fans as a dazzling light show mesmerized the crowd. “Where The Light Shines Through” was a lively jam session with clapping and dancing all around. Jon took a moment to announce that $1 for every ticket sold was going to a charity that benefits homeless youth and spoke for a bit about the political situation in our country. Noting that his hopes and dreams were not wrapped up in what’s going on in Washington or in the results of the election but in unconditional love. It was then that the band all came to the front of the stage for an acoustic performance of “Hello Hurricane” which featured guitarist and keyboardist Jerome Fontamillas on the accordion. There were more intense moments as well as frontman Foreman covered in a shroud shined a flashlight from a pitch dark stage asking “America, are you out there?” The band also put in a adrenaline fueled version of “The Sound” as Foreman surfed through the crowd interacting with the fans at every possible moment. Sonically, the band has never sounded better as they inspired those in attendance with messages of hope for the future. Confetti cannons and “Where I Belong” closed out the regular set. It wasn’t but a moment that the chants of “Foot, Foot!” began in earnest. The band obliged with a three song encore including an apperance by Relient K frontman Thiessen, bubble machines, and a stirring “Dare You To Move” with more confetti to top of the evening.

The “Looking For America” tour brought a night filled with spectacular music and true feelings of love and hope to a city that deseperately needed exactly that. Relient K and Switchfoot are two bands that are not only passionate about their music but about their beliefs and their positivity is absolutely contagious. If you have the chance to check out this tour, don’t miss it!

Relient K Set List:

Bummin’

High of 75

Don’t Blink

The One I’m Waiting For

Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been

Look On Up

Runnin’

Mountaintop

Forget and Not Slow Down

Sahara

Air For Free