Sunday, October 18, brought Switchfoot’s Forever Now Tour to The Van Buren in Phoenix, with support from fellow alt-rock favorites Anberlin. The tour celebrates the release of Switchfoot’s latest record, Forever Now, which dropped in June, and features a setlist that blends new material with favorites from the band’s extensive catalog. While I’ve had the opportunity to see Switchfoot live many times, I’ve somehow never seen them headline, so I was especially excited for this one. I last caught them in February at Innings Festival, where they were one of the highlights of the weekend, and I couldn’t wait to see what they had in store for a full headlining set.
Anberlin kicked off the night with a nine-song set that included both fan favorites and a preview of what’s to come. The band opened with “Paperthin Hymn,” followed by “The Resistance” and “Never Take Friendship Personal,” immediately getting the crowd moving. Having been a band for nearly a quarter of a century, Anberlin has built a catalog full of tracks that have stood the test of time, and the audience was more than ready to sing along. The set also featured “NEVERAFTER,” a track from their upcoming album, CURRENCY, which is set to release on November 11. This will be the band’s first album with Matty Mullins as lead vocalist, following his addition as their live frontman in 2023. While bringing in a new vocalist can be a difficult transition for any band, Mullins’ vocals fit Anberlin’s sound incredibly well, and he has settled into the role well.
The band brought plenty of energy to the stage, with a visually striking light display featuring bright colors and intense flashing lights throughout the set. Between songs, the band shared that they had missed the previous two shows of the tour after their tour bus broke down, leaving them stranded in New Mexico. “Today is victorious for us,” they told the crowd, explaining that missing those shows had been a major bummer, but they knew they couldn’t miss Phoenix. One of the band members added that they had been ready to strap their gear to their backs to make it to the show. The crowd welcomed them with open arms, and the band seemed genuinely happy to be back onstage. Before launching into “GRAVITY,” they asked the audience if they were enjoying the new music and whether they wanted one more song. Phoenix answered with an enthusiastic yes. The band closed out their set with “Godspeed” and “The Feel Good Drag.” Anberlin delivered a fantastic performance, and I’m looking forward to hearing what they have in store with CURRENCY.
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The excitement in the room was palpable as fans waited for Switchfoot to take the stage. The band opened with “Wake Up, Mr. Crow,” “Stars,” and “Oh! Gravity.,” setting the tone for a night that would span their extensive discography. The setlist featured seven tracks from Forever Now, mixed in with longtime favorites, giving fans a chance to experience the new record alongside the songs that have soundtracked so many different stages of my life. One thing that has always stood out to me about Switchfoot is how much they pour into their live performances. Frontman Jon Foreman has an effortless way of connecting with the crowd, making even a room full of strangers feel like a community. From the moment the band took the stage, that connection was evident.
Foreman spent much of the evening expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be there, reflecting on life, the band’s career, and the memories they’ve made in Arizona. “What a gift it is to be alive in Phoenix tonight,” he told the audience before asking, “If today was our last, how would you live it and how would you treat others?” These moments of reflection have always been a big part of Switchfoot’s appeal, and Foreman delivers them with a sincerity that never feels forced. The band’s performances are full of heart, and they have a remarkable ability to make each person in the room feel like they are part of something special.
That connection was especially apparent during “YFWYA,” when Foreman made his way down into the crowd, bringing the performance directly to the fans. He remained in the crowd for the next track, having the audience crowdsurf his guitar back to him before launching into “The Shadow Proves the Sunshine.” Rather than staying confined to the stage, he made a point of moving around and performing closer to fans throughout the venue, ensuring that even those toward the back felt included. The audience sang along passionately throughout the night, and Foreman even commented on how incredible they sounded singing the new songs. It was clear that Forever Now has been well received by longtime fans, who were just as enthusiastic about the newer material as they were about the classics.
One of the evening’s sweetest moments came during “Beautiful Life,” when Foreman brought his daughter Daisy onstage to sing with him. Her beautiful voice and harmonies added so much to the performance, and Foreman was absolutely beaming with pride as they sang together. Daisy shared that she had enjoyed performing at the last few tour dates but she would now have to return to ninth grade. Foreman asked the audience to let her know that life gets better after high school, and the room erupted with encouragement. It was such a genuine, heartwarming moment and a reminder of the family atmosphere that Switchfoot has cultivated throughout their career.
The band continued with “Mess of Me,” “Needle and Haystack Life,” and “Absolution,” the latter of which ended up being my favorite moment of the entire night. Having grown up with Switchfoot’s music, I expected one of the songs tied to my younger years to be the highlight, but hearing “Absolution” live was an unexpected standout. The band followed it with “Twenty-Four,” which Foreman introduced as a California sing-along and the song he wrote the day before turning 25. As the audience embraced one another and swayed along, the band gathered together at center stage to sing before returning to their instruments midway through the song. It was a beautiful moment that captured the heart of the evening.
Before “The Butterfly Effect,” Foreman explained that the song was about his last breath and every breath he takes to get there. The band closed the main set with “Where I Belong,” holding up a banner bearing the song’s title as the audience sang along. After leaving the stage, the band was met with chants for one more song before returning for an encore. “I know you were saying one more song, but I don’t want to give you one more song. Can I give you two?” Foreman asked.
The band returned with “Dark Horses” and “Meant to Live,” sending the crowd home on a high note. Throughout the evening, the band also made a point of acknowledging their touring family. With Jerome taking time away from the road for a medical procedure, members of the team, including the tour manager, guitar tech, and another friend, stepped in to help fill his role. He is expected to rejoin the band in a couple of weeks, and it was wonderful to see the team rally around one another to keep the tour going.
I’ve seen Switchfoot several times over the years, but this was easily one of my favorite experiences with the band. Hearing songs that have been part of my life for so long, discovering new favorites, and watching Jon Foreman connect with the audience made for such a special night. As I was leaving the venue, I overheard a young fan exclaim, “I feel so alive! It was amazing! And on a school night!” and honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself. There is something special about a band that can make a room full of people feel that way, and Switchfoot continues to do exactly that. If you have the opportunity to catch them live, do yourself a favor and go. This is a band you have to experience live.
The Forever Now Tour will continue to make its way across the US through November 21st when the North American leg wraps in Seattle, WA. For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
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