Other than co-headlining a show at the Stroh Center, Switchfoot and Anberlin have another thing in common: the love of engaging a live audience.
Chad Butler, Switchfoot’s drummer, and Stephen Christian, Anberlin’s lead vocalist, spoke to The BG News about their upcoming show, set to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
While both bands have been associated with the Christian rock genre, Butler said Switchfoot makes music geared toward all groups.
“I’m a believer, and obviously my faith is going to influence my art,” Butler said. “I feel that we do make sure that we’re making music for everyone and that everyone feels welcome.”
Christian said the lyrics to Anberlin’s songs are meant to expose all of his personal failures and successes, and he asks the audience to learn from them. He classified the band’s music as “energetic indie wave.”
“[It’s] energetic rock, but indie music and new wave music kind of added in together,” Christian said.
Both musicians enjoyed the spontaneity of the live experience and both bands change nightly setlists for shows.
“There’s a freedom and uncertainty to the live show,” Butler said. “I think that danger, that element of the unknown, is what makes each show exciting, so I love playing live.”
Christian said colleges are among Anberlin’s favorite places to play with a “rambunctious” crowd providing an energetic atmosphere. He also noted the challenge of connecting with an arena crowd instead of a more intimate club setting.
“The idea to try to get everyone involved no matter where they are sitting in the entire audience,” Christian said. “That’s definitely one of the biggest goals … to make it feel like even though there’s 5,000 people in there, that we’re just playing for you.”
Butler said that crowd interaction was a large motivator in their live show.
“Hearing people sing the words back to us is the best part of the night,” Butler said. “That’s the power of music, it’s to unify people from all different backgrounds together, singing one song.”
Butler said the bands were specifically trying to play at colleges on their tour, and he said the music might connect with students on a lyrical level.
“I’ve always thought that [singer Jon Foreman] was a pretty intellectual poet,” Butler said. “He reads a lot and there’s a lot of great references in his music to philosophers … it’s just music for thinking people.”
Ben Spence, general manager for the Stroh Center, said the arena can provide a more intimate atmosphere for the show, citing every seat as a quality one.
“It’s going to be different than the first concert … it’s going to be more high energy, heavier rock than the first show,” Spence said.
Scot Bressler, coordinator of the event, said both bands requested no chairs on the floor, opting for standing room to help create an energetic atmosphere.
He also complimented the bands’ diverse catalogs.
“They do the hard rock, the edgier music, and they are so good with a ballad or two as well,” Bressler said.
The bands are also adding a charitable aspect to the show by asking fans to donate backpacks to an organization called StandUp For Kids to benefit homeless children.
Butler mentioned the first single on Switchfoot’s new album “Vice Verses.” The song, “Dark Horses,” is about homeless kids in the band’s hometown of San Diego.
Musically, Butler said the album was driven more by the drums and bass, adding a Motown and hip-hop sensibility to it.
“This record has a certain swagger to it,” he said. “For me as a drummer, it’s a really exciting period for us, pushing musically.”
The musicians said the bands complement each other as well, and this tour has provided them a chance to tour together after numerous schedule conflicts.
“I think [Switchfoot] is like straight ahead rock and roll, they’re such tight musicians, and I think that we’re a bit more dark and a bit more energetic,” Christian said. “I like that, because if we sounded exactly the same, it would be such a boring show.”
Butler said the tour has been a lot of fun, and he looks forward to performing at the University.
“We have the best job in the world,” he said. “We get to be playing these songs every night and have the opportunity to share the stage with Anberlin. Life couldn’t be better.”
Christian returned the compliment to Switchfoot.
“[Anberlin are] massive fans of the band first, and … co-headlining second.”
Tickets are all general admission seating and cost $23 for students and $25 for others. They will still be available at the door. Atomic Tom will open the show, a New York based band.
