“Friends of the foot” can get their fix next month when Switchfoot performs at the Abilene Civic Center. Tickets are already on sale for the Feb. 21 concert, which will also feature Seabird.
The alternative rock band, composed of brothers Jon and Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, Jerome Fontamillas and Drew Shirley, formed more than a decade ago in San Diego. Switchfoot began in the Christian rock scene but broke into mainstream when four of their songs were included in the film A Walk to Remember in 2002. Since then, the band has received worldwide recognition with top-10 Billboard hits, such as The Beautiful Letdown, Dare You To Move and Meant to Live. Switchfoot also has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien with their single Mess of Me.
Evan Umberger, junior management major from Garland, said the band is better in concert than they are on CD.
“They are fantastic live. I got to see them at the Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie a couple years ago, and the audience involvement is great,” he said. “I love how their musical styles have progressed over their many albums.”
Live at the Park, a ministry of Beltway Park, was the driving force behind Switchfoot’s Abilene appearance.
“The goal and mission of Live at the Park is to affect the youth – and youthful at heart – of West Texas for the kingdom through the music of artists that are continuously striving to give him glory,” according to www.liveatthepark.org.
Keith Dodderer, promoter at Live at the Park, created the ministry in 2003 to bring contemporary rock bands with a good message to Abilene. Over the years, Live at the Park has brought several well-known artists to Abilene, including RED and Skillet on Dec. 21. The ministry also helps run events and performances.
Josh McQueen, an intern for Live at the Park, expects a good number of Abilene residents will be interested to hear Switchfoot perform.
“I think it’s comparable to Iron & Wine coming in; it’s just a big event with a band that’s on a national spotlight that Abilene doesn’t get to see as much,” he said.
McQueen created a fan page on Facebook for Live at the Park, which is constantly updated with upcoming concerts in Abilene.
