Monday, August 16, 2010

Jon Foreman removed by Police from Aftershow

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tim Foreman, who turned 32 yesterday. Keep rockin', my friend.

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In what has turned into a mini media storm, Jon Foreman was removed by force from an aftershow he was playing for fans after Switchfoot's main opening slot for the Goo Goo Dolls. For first-hand coverage of the event, here's a video of the incident. Note: Jon does play the entirety of "Against the Voices" before the police officer shows up.



CNN was on the story, with the clever headline of "Police dare Switchfoot singer to move." Here are some quotes from Jon:

"The officer last night wouldn't give me a reason for shutting it down, he only said that he had a family to go home to," Foreman told CNN. I respect the authorities, they have a difficult job."


"I love playing on the big stages in front of thousands of folks, it feels like a megaphone. It's how I pay the bills and it's the best job in the world. But I also love playing for just a few folks for free. It feels like a whisper." Foreman said of the intimate post-show gatherings he sometimes calls via Twitter.

"It's the chance to dust off the Bob Dylan covers and play new tunes. It's a gift: just to play for the love of the song."


^Always classy, that Jon Foreman. What do you think? Was the police officer right in conducting matters like that? Do you think Jon should've continued to play "24" in spite of the demands by the officer to quit? Comment and chime in!

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Okay, on to less grave matters. Switchfoot soundchecked "Dark Horses" in Jacksonville last Friday, August 13. Here's the video, with the most discernible vocals yet.



Thanks to our friend Katey for this video.

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Switchfoot stopped in at 99x in Atlanta last Thursday to play some songs. Here are videos:

Dare You to Move



Meant to Live



Just Rob Me



The Sound



Mess of Me



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And to finish up today's update, here are videos (again courtesy of Katey) of Switchfoot's headlining show in Jacksonville headliner:

Stars



The Sound



^cool extended outro!

Chem 6a / Gone



Meant to Live



Company Car

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, man, I respect Jon for not putting up a fight or anything. I wonder what the problem was. Anyways, I'm glad that we got a better Dark Horses sound thing :)

-Ender

Anonymous said...

I totally respect Jon for how he handled the situation. Classy, and righteous, as expected :)
He is truly my hero for keeping such a calm and friendly demeanor. Most people would just tell off that officer, and start a string of profanity, but Jon rose above that.
It's beauitful how he even HAS the after shows, and makes it truly about the music. That is really something.
Nevertheless, to Officer Fisher: YOU CAN'T SILENCE OUR LOVE!!! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm disappointed in Mr. Forman's handling of the situation. Right or wrong, for whatever reasons, when the police say, "it's over," then it's over. It is not for us to judge their motives, then obey or not according to our own findings.

As followers of Christ, we are to be examples of obedience. Hebrews 13:17 says "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you." (KJV) Being obedient does not mean challenging, negotiating, cajoling, begging, or deal making. We are to respect authority, and this was not an example of respect. Being Christians does not give us a pass, or make us exceptions to the rules.

I do give props to Mr. Forman in that he did not get belligerent or violent. I didn’t sense that he was intentionally being rebellious or showing contempt toward the authority of the officer.

Skillet and their music is a blessing, and hope the unreached will look past this situation and hear their message of love and salvation.

Thanks for letting me blurb :D

Luke said...

^ Skillet? What are you on about... he's from Switchfoot lol.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the disappointment comment above. I read all the comments while allowing the video to download, and at first I thought the disappointment comment was blowing things out of proportion. I was wrong.
After watching the video I agree, what a disappointment. If you've ever been in a position of walking that fine line as an authority figure then you know what it's like. Mr. Forman showed a real lack of respect in my mind to someone who not only allowed him to play in a setting that appears to have not been ideal, but then politely asked him to disperse.
To make the guy actually have to walk over and take him by the arm... well, there you go. This really makes me second guess any money I've sent SF's way and any furture discretionary money I come accross.

Job said...

I think you're overreacting here, my friend. Jon thought he was allowed to play one more song, and he had a right to remain there. We as Americans have a constitutional right to "peaceable gatherings." This was not a riot. It was a small group of people listening to music.