The Grammy-award
winning alternative rock band, Switchfoot, kicked off their 2017 World Tour in
Manila last April 16.
Following the
success of their third show in Manila last year, Switchfoot made its promise to
their Filipino fans to return the following year. Frontman, Jon Foreman said, “Every
place we go has a certain feeling, the Pinoy culture feels warm and welcoming.”
Manila holds a
special place in the band’s roots as Jerome Fontamillas (keys) was born in the
Philippines. When asked what made them decide to come back in Manila, Foreman
jested “Jerome told us he’d quit the band if we didn’t come. I want him still
in the band so now we’re here. 20% of Switchfoot was born here in Manila.”
The concert was
the grand finale of the week-long Walkway exhibit that was conducted by Church
Simplified. The concert was also set to promote the band’s 10th
album, Where the Light Shines Through.
“In many ways, our trip to Manila [last year] inspired the entire album”, said
Foreman.
Despite the rain
on the day of the concert, people started to line up as early as 2pm to secure
a good spot in front, and to watch the band do their sound check.
Switchfoot opened
the concert with their carrying single “Float”,
a song of which the music video was born in streets of Tondo, followed by their
hits from the past, “Meant to Live”
and “Stars”.
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Jon, with his brother Tim Foreman (bass)
rocking the stage in Bonifacio High Street.
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Jon Foreman jammed with his Filipino fans
during the band’s rock anthem, “We are One Tonight”.
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“Manila!! Thank you for such an awesome show and for
supporting us like you do... I can't believe how loud you all sang along on
"I won't let you go". “, Drew Shirley (guitars) captioned in his
instagram account.
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The band rocked
Bonifacio High Street with their energetic performance of the song “If the House Burns down Tonight”. And of
course, the band cannot leave Manila without singing “Only Hope”, and their arguably greatest song of all time, “Dare You to Move”.
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Jon, Tim, Chad, Jerome and Drew rocked Manila
with 17 songs.
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During their
encore, the band performed “Where I
belong” as the finale wherein the fans handed Foreman a banner – a
tradition done by Switchfoot fans all over the world whenever this song is
played live.
The day after the
concert, Switchfoot headed straight to Davao to visit the Cure hospital where
they spent time with the kids and the doctors and nurses.
“Cure is an
organization that helps kids that are born with physical disabilities and offers
them surgeries that can change their lives, like giving them the ability to
walk again. We’re honored to be involved.” said drummer Chad Butler.
Foreman went on,
“If you’re going to sing songs about hope, you’d have to do more than just
sing. For us, it’s a chance to actually see hope in the flesh. It’s an attempt
to see these songs come to life.”
Switchfoot capped
off their trip to the Philippines with their show in Ayala Mall Cebu.
Thanks to Bebo
Bharwani, Nikki Bharwani, Bebeth Timbol and the people behind Church Simplified
for making this possible.
“Hope deserves an anthem.” – Jon
Foreman
Major Sponsors:
Security Bank, Fairmont Makati, Delimondo
Sponsors: Auts
Briel, Claw Daddy, Kanteen, Kuppa, Lighthouse Communities, New Orleans, Nurture
Spa, OMF Literature, The Bridge School
Production
Sponsors: Souncheck, Thirty SixO, Velprint, Zaphenath
Other Sponsors:
Provill, The Belle and Dragon, Without Walls Ministry