Blue October

Blue October • Switchfoot • Matt Nathanson • Blindlove • August 24, 2024 • Utah First Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Nate Bonney

Blue October played at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater on August 24th. They brought a long some other great artist with them to perform. Switchfoot, Matt Nathanson and invited the local band Blindlove. I have seen most of these groups multiple times and they all always give great shows.

Birdlove

Blindlove was up first. Formed in 2020 by frontman Brogan Kelby, Blindlove is an alternative/rock band from Salt Lake City, Utah. Blindlove managed to gain nationwide success during the worldwide Covid pandemic. Their debut single “I Wanna Be Okay” landed on the national top 40 alternative charts. After touring with bands The Used & Sleeping with Sirens in the Fall of 2023, the band gained even more success with their single “Bad Timing.” The rest of the band consists of vocalist /guitarist Brogan Kelby, guitarist Brad Keyes, bassist Pauline Marvin, and drummer Dallin Hunt.

They started their set off with “Birds and Bees.” I personally know Brogan and he holds himself to high standards and his performances are also spot on. There are groups that sound great on their albums, but when they perform live they don’t match. Blindlove sounds equal to their recordings and they do it with ease. Here is their setlist:

Birds and Bees
Uncomfortable Silence
Living in My Head
Carry You
I Wanna Be Okay
Bad Timing
Juggernaut

Even with the sun in their eyes they put on a great show that match the other bands there that night. Even though they are local they have a great stage presence and can hold their own with the other bands there that night.

Matt Nathanson

On to Matt Nathanson. I believe I have seen him a few time throughout the years and he always puts on a great performance. He always make light of the situation and is a perfect opener. He knows how to get the crowd involved and seems to hate a boring crowd. Matt Nathanson his a great lyricist and always has a way with wording phrases. He has been performing since 1993 and always jokes about people only knowing his songs because they hear them at Home Depot. His current tour band is Aaron Tap guitar, back-up vocals. He started of with “Kill the Lights,” from his 2022 album “Last of the Great Pretenders.” Here is his setlist:

Kill the Lights
Run
Map at the Mall
German Cars
Car Crash / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / Car Crash
Pablo Picasso
Used to Be
Detroit Waves
Suspended
Headphones
Bill Murray
Come on Get Higher
Under Pressure (Queen & David Bowie cover)

One of the main things Matt does to get everyone all energized for the show is he gets down and wanders the audience for two songs and just gives everyone high fives and makes everyones day. He finished off his set with “Under Pressure” Queen and David Bowie cover.

Switchfoot

Switchfoot’s turn to play. By the time they started, the sun had gone down and everyone was ready for a good show. Switchfoot consists of Jon Foreman (lead vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drums, percussion), and Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals). They formed in San Diego in 1996 and had success in the Christian rock scene. They gained mainstream success when they had a few of their songs used in “A Walk to Remember,” movie. They started with “Stars,” from their 2005 album “Nothing is Sound.” Here is their setlist:

Stars
Dark Horses
Sabotage (Beastie Boys cover)
This Is Your Life
Live It Well
The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues)
Float
Hello Hurricane
I Won’t Let you Go
Dare You to Move (with Justin Furstenfeld)
Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (Ziggy Marley cover)
Where I Belong
Meant to Live

The highlights of their set was when Justin Furstenfeld came out and sang “Dare You to Move.” Justin later in his set with Blue October explains his connection with Switchfoot and this song in particular.

The also did a great cover of “Sabotage” by the Bestie Boys. Such a great song. It is the first time I’ve seen anyone play it live.

Like Matt Nathanson, Jon Foreman also got into the crowd to see how everyone was doing. After he got out of the crown he sang “I Won’t Let You Go,’ And dedicated it to his daughter who was undergoing surgery. The audience was moved and everyone got out their phones and turned on their light.

They finished their set with one of their biggest hits “Meant to Live.” It was a prefect ending song to their set.

Blue October took the stage next. I’ve seen them 4 times and every time is a solid performance. Justin Furstenfeld’s story about recovery and forgiveness is always good to hear. Even though they’re not classified as a Christian band I would say their message still has an underlie message of hope. That is why they are relatable to their listeners. They started of with “Daylight,” off their 2018 album “I Hope You’re Happy.”

Daylight
Say It
Fight for Love
Into the Ocean
Everything We Lost in the Fire
Leave Room for a Miracle
Fear
Hate Me
Oh My My
Shut Up I Want You to Love Me Back
Down Here Waiting
Where Did You Go I’m Less of a Mess These Days
18th Floor Balcony
Moving On (So Long)
I Hope You’re Happy

Justin explained that one night when he was trying to get to see his daughter and was at his lowest. There came a song across the radio that spoke to him. It was “Dare You to Move,” by Switchfoot. He explained that it was that song that made him decide to change and be the father for his daughter. If you follow him on social media, it is evident that he has fulfilled his commitment. His daughter is a big part of his life.