Music Builds Tour 8-23-08 Category: Music Views: 192
Well, this is my first attempt at a blog about a concert so here we go. Pictures are included and I have a lot more in my profile as well. Just wish I had a better camera...
Band lineup: Jars of Clay/Robert Randolph and the Family Band/Switchfoot/Third Day
After getting down to Soldier Field to park and kind of wandering around to find the outdoor venue we arrived just in time for some rain to start falling. The best part was there was no where to find cover but it didn't rain that bad anyhow. I kinda have this thing where I have to get a T-shirt at every concert I go to and with Jars of Clay being my favorite band I had to get their only shirt available. Not the best looking shirt but it was kinda cool. Then my friend pointed out an awesome black Switchfoot shirt and it was a quick impulse buy. I didn't want to spend that much but hey, that's how things go when you're addicted to music, haha.
So we sat down in the middle section only 21 rows back, great seats. Jars of Clay came on first (though they should've been co-headlining instead of that horrid Third Day band...) and kicked us off with the new funky version of Flood. They were all wearing these white outfits and kinda looked humorous to me but hey, they were were having fun. They followed that up with 'Love Is A Protest' and 'Closer', which I was so excited for. After that was 'I Need You' and then the new version of 'Love Song for a Savior' in which they had an interesting way of playing that with the drums as seen below.
They followed that up with a brand new song called 'Heaven'. It's a unique rock song in the sense that Dan sings louder during the verses and when the chorus came he was quieter. Usually it's the other way around so I wasn't sure about that but otherwise I loved the song and it made my anticipation for the new album next year grow even more, if that were possible, hah. Finally they closed with 'Work' and then 'Dead Man', both great rockers that got the crowd going. I was hoping for Revolution but with only a 35 minute setlist there's only so much they could do. What got me excited is what followed afterwards. They had mentioned they'd be out to sign and meet us at the merch table so I hurried out there and got in an already growing line. Naturally I was excited and got a chance to shake their hand and talk to them for a bit as they all signed my shirt. Real nice guys and I asked them when they'd be headlining, though I already kinda knew the answer. Aside from a Christmas tour later this year they'd headline after the new album hits in March or so. Woohoo! Not bad experience for the first 45 minutes of the show.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band was next and I didn't know what to expect. Needless to say, they were pretty amazing and fun. The lead guy and a man they called their Pastor from Nashville were playing what I guess is called a Steel Guitar. It was pretty nuts and I loved the upbeat, blues-style jamming they did. The lead guy had a ton of energy and sprang up to dance in the first song. For some I suppose they may find their music tedious but I love jamming and they ripped it up on guitars. There was even a guitar solo duel and the organ player also busted out a violin and pulled off an amazing solo. One thing was apparent, these guys were from the south and had some serious 'soul' in their music. All had a great voice and I felt the presence of God all over. I'd even rather they were given more time than Third Day, haha. Here's a pic of the awesome rectangle guitar the lead had:
Third up was Switchfoot and they were as amazing as I had heard. The friend I went with said he didn't really like Switchfoot but after this amazing setlist he was a new believer, hehe. I only have their 'The Beautiful Letdown' and 'Nothing Is Sound' CD's but it was a perfect setlist for me. They started off with 'Stars' before going into 'Oh! Gravity' and one of my personal favs, 'Gone'. Jon has great stage presence and he talked to lead into songs. He certainly knows how to get the crowd going and involved which is great. The next songs were all performed very well with some interesting twists. They were:
'This Is Your Life', 'Learning to Breathe', 'This Is My American Dream' (they all posed in a 'rock out' position for a minute that seemed like eternity in the middle of the song, really awesome), 'We Are One/Shadows Prove the Sunshine' (then back to We Are One), 'On Fire', 'Awakening', 'Meant to Live', Encore: 'Dare You To Move'
'On Fire' was particularly awesome because Jon came down into the crowd and ended up going in my aisle no more than 5 seats over as he continued. He made a couple of teenage girls day by shaking their fist as they were freaking out, always comical, haha. I never seem to be in the right position when an artist does this but this time I was and for one of my favorite songs no less. 'Awakening' was probably the best rock song they did as the crowd was feeling it and so were they. 'Meant to Live' naturally had the crowd going nuts when that signature riff went off and when they left at the very end I knew they weren't done. Jon was the first to come back with an acoustic guitar as he sang the first verse and chorus. The rest of the band joined and proceeded to rock our faces off. I'd definitely pay to see them again as they were one of the best bands I had seen. This is how close Jon was to me during 'On Fire':
After that I left since neither of us wanted to see Third Day. The good news is we didn't have to deal with traffic as only a small group left. The bad is I've heard there were two last songs played with the other bands coming back though nothing special. Apparently they were 'I'll Fly Away' with Jars and RR joining Third Day and lastly was the U2 cover 'When Love Comes to Town' with Switchfoot joining the rest. All in all an amazing experience for me and well worth the money I paid. :-D
August 25, 2008, 12:40PM
If you do, at most get the $51 tickets (or whatever that price is by you) because it was well worth it.
'Closer' was every bit as amazing as you'd think with the chorus just being astounding. I think you'll love the new song, Heaven, as well. I don't remember all of the lyrics except that they were quite spiritual and the song was catchy. It seemed to be received rather well too considering the crowd was mainly there for Third Day or Switchfoot.
August 25, 2008, 12:36PM
Yes, I would have been lovin' to hear the new version of "Love Song for A Savior" but I have been privileged to hear them do it live 4 times and last year was the best of the 4 (they get better and better IMO). Awesome that they did "Closer", how did that sound live? Yes, this tour is coming to NJ (I'm near Philly) on 9/13 so I'm hoping to get tix.
August 25, 2008, 12:25PM
No problem and as soon as 'Love Song For A Savior' came on I was thinking, "kevindavis would be lovin' this" though you've probably seen it plenty of times live. When I was talking to them they seemed genuinely excited it was my first Jars show and I was eager to see them again. Does this tour hit your area at all?
August 25, 2008, 12:22PM
Awesome write-up!! Those are great set-lists by Jars and Switchfoot and very cool that you got to meet Jars in person. I can't wait to hear that new song and album. Thanks for the great pictures as well!
Take care, Kevin
thirdsaint's Blog 
