Switchfoot Concert - Bellingham, WA

If you know me, even just a little, then you know I am a total fangirl of Switchfoot.  

Ok.  I'll just say it.  I'm an obsessive fan.  I love, love, love them!  

If you want to know why you can read here.

We bought concert tickets way back in February for this Memorial weekend concert.  

The venue was at the Mt. Baker Theatre in the cutest little coastal town of Bellingham, which meant a mini road trip.  :-) 

Hannah was given a Wreck This Journal last fall.  Each page has you do something to it. 

It's a great little place to spark some creativity. 

She spent the car ride doodling.

We found the venue, and a great parking spot.  We decided to walk around a little, see the town, and grab some coffee before waiting in line. 

Back at home, it was raining, but here is was warm and sunny.  Look at that blue sky!

This town is totally charming and artsy.
On our short walk we discovered painted wall murals


aromatic coffee houses *

 a kitschy donut shop.  

and... an ivy heart growing alongside an old building. 

 There's Hannah getting creative with a photo.

We meandered back to the car to eat our lunch that we had packed along.  
We saw this trailer being unloaded.  Hannah and I thought it was the crew for Switchfoot, but it turned out is the was the opening musicians themselves.

I'm thinking this was Switchfoot's rig.

When we got in line, it wasn't very long - maybe 1/4 block or so.  Even though we had tickets, it was not assigned seating - so... we sat in the glorious sun, and sipped coffee and chatted with others in line.

We ended up getting 4th row seats! Waiting in line for 2-1/2 hours paid off.  :-)

A few people gathered up front, and Hannah keyed in that that was the mosh pit forming - so away she went.  

There was never any mention of any opening bands, so nobody seemed to know who it would be.
Turns out there were two. 
The first was called the Exchange.  They are a pretty new Christian band from PNW. 

the other band was Kris Orlowski.  He's also from the PNW, and has a really nice sound.  

they both only played for about 20 minutes.
When the lights grew dark, the hoots and cheers started.  

2nd song in and Jon Foreman ventured into the crowd, standing on the chair arms, singing while shaking hands.

About halfway into the concert, Eric encouraged me to join Hannah in the mosh pit.  
I decided to be adventurous.
So here are a few shots that are up close because I was UP CLOSE!  

For the title song to their Hello Hurricane album they take it down to one mic, one drum, one guitar, and a tambourine. 
this album was recorded as a result of Hurricane Katrina and its unfolding events. It's interesting to hear their thoughts about the hurts and healing of it all. 

A view of Jon in the crowd for a second time. 

While he worked the crowd, his brother, Tim just had this look of total admiration for how Jon connects with the fans. 

Drew Shirley

Tim Foreman

Chad Butler

Tim, Chad, Jon, Jerome, Drew

After the concert Hannah met the members from The Exchange.  She had put her Wreck This Journal in the car so she didn't have anything for them to autograph so thinking quickly...

I met Kris Orlowski.  He was such a down-to-earth guy.  Both opening bands were super friendly and happy to meet with the fans.  

*Switchfoot wasn't available to meet in the lobby (it's no wonder, they'd just be mobbed! by this sold-out crowd) but as it turns out - word got out that they did a little after show get together at Woods Coffee for whoever came.  We were already headed home when we learned of it.  Oh snap.  
(Note to self:  hang out for a little while after the concert because you never know...)

And that was our super fun day!
Thanks for reading as I gush about my favorite music band.  :-)  

- Carol

P.S.  Here's a little listening pleasure from their newest album.