Switchfoot
Stylus
Leeds University Union, Lifton Place, Leeds, LS2 9JT, Great Britain
England
53.807958
-1.553329
Description
2023 marks the 20th anniversary of Switchfoot's seminal album, The Beautiful Letdown. The triple-platinum record included the chart topping hits, Meant To Live & Dare You To Move and changed the lives of the band members and a generation the world over.
The underdog success story of The Beautiful Letdown exemplifies Switchfoot's iconoclast, grassroots approach, defying the odds of major labels and mainstream media. When the band began the recording process, they believed that there was a real possibility this would be the last album they'd ever make."We'd watched most of our favorite bands dissolve after 3-4 albums, and although there had been some exciting moments the year prior, we knew there was a very real chance this could be it for us. So we approached it like it WAS our last record. What are the last songs we want to sing? Let's make that album" says bassist Tim Foreman.
Teaming up with now legendary producer John Fields (Brandie Carlile, Jimmy Eat World, Ben Rector), Switchfoot dove headlong into the recording process.Lead singer and guitar player, Jon Foreman remenices, "Even 20 years later this part of my life still feels like a strange dream.
At this point in our journey, we were at a crossroads as a band. There were no examples of anyone who was doing what we wanted to do, so we were essentially paving our own road; knowing it could be a dead end.
Until I met John Fields, I'd never encountered anyone with a musical appetite that matched my own. Tracking was a glorious blur. We were sleeping on the studio floor or on the floor of our manager's house. Meals were cheap and fast. We were pouring all of our free time into the songs- every day starting early and ending late. Unlike a lot of records, this was recorded, mixed and mastered in just a few weeks."
When the album was finished, one of the largest record labels in the world had signed on to release it and Switchfoot seemed poised for a wonderful new chapter. After years and albums of trying to make ends meet, the band was gearing up for a bigger audience than ever before.
And that's when their dream took a turn, "We flew out to play our first big show in New York City.
The plan was to win over the east coast contingent of our new record company, and celebrate the album we were about to release.
Instead, the band walked off stage to a much different reception. "Turns out, the head of the record company hated us. Halfway through our performance of Dare You To Move, he walked out of the room, yelling 'Why do you keep signing this $#!& And boom, just like that, we were dropped before the album even came out."
Over the next few days, the band faced their fears and doubts in a new way. "Our rejection in New York brought up some big questions: Do we believe in these tunes? Are these songs still worthwhile? With or without the Columbia logo on the back?" Ultimately, we came to the conclusion that the record label's opinion didn't matter. We believed in these songs. And no record company logo or opinion could take that away. We decided to do what we had always done: singing in spite of whatever opposition we might face, paving our own road, and finding a way forward."
Fast forward a year, a few hundred shows & 2 million sold copies of the album later, the band was living in an entirely new world. Even the head of Sony records was a reluctant supporter.
Drummer Chad Butler recalls, "There were so many unbelievable moments... Our songs were on the radio all over the world?! Our videos were on MTV, VH1, and all the late night shows wanted us to play!? It was a surreal crazy time for this young band from San Diego..
Looking back, I realize the album was aptly titled - The Beautiful Letdown embraced a human story equally full of highs and lows."
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Beautiful Letdown, the band realizes just how important that rollercoaster was. "The journey of the beautiful letdown reminded us why we started playing music in the first place. It united us and gave us a deep appreciation for each other and the people that showed up to sing with us. We're so excited to celebrate the release of The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) and the worldwide journey that we've been on ever since. We can't wait to take these songs on the road and play the album front to back for the first time ever!"
Switchfoot has sold over 10 million copies worldwide of their thirteen studio albums (including their 2003 triple-platinum breakthrough The Beautiful Letdown and 2009's Grammy Award-winning Hello Hurricane), racked up a string of Alternative radio hit singles, and performed sold-out tours with over 5 million concert tickets sold in over 40 countries around the world. Through their unique blend of emotionally intelligent and uplifting brand of alternative rock, Switchfoot has earned a devoted and loyal global fan base.
Switchfoot has raised over $2 million dollars to aid kids in their community through their Bro-Am Foundation. Switchfoot consists of Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass). Jerome Fontamillas (keys, guitar) and Chad Butler (drums).
Venue Info
Bringing everyone together through legendary nights in Leeds since 1967: it’s what we do.
Leeds Union Events is your official box office for gigs, club nights and festivals happening in the middle of campus at Leeds University Union.
Our stages have hosted some of the most unforgettable bands and singers across the decades, including Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, The Clash, The Killers and Queens of the Stone Age. We continue to bring legendary nights to Leeds with the latest artists, and up-and-coming performers.
Our venues continue to be award-winning. We’ve got 100% in Best Bar None and the Refectory is marked with a blue plaque as a legendary gig venue. Not bad for a not-for-profit where all the money we make goes straight back into making sure our students love their time at Leeds!
Whether you’re a student, live in Leeds or further away, you’re welcome to join us in coming together over our love of great music and unforgettable experiences.
Access Information
The Union building – although challenging, is accessible with lift access across all floors of the venue and accessible gender-neutral WC’s available in each venue.
The Union building is set-out on six levels but there is either ramped or lift access to every level with the distance from the main entrance to the furthest part of the venues approximately 200 metres.
We have drop-down bars in all of our venues.
Getting Here
Parking:
Parking is very limited close to the Union building and is on-street only, however, provision is available close to the Union entrance – between 10 and 40 metres, for up to six blue-badge holders.
Please note – additional Blue Badge parking is available on Campus – around 500 metres away, within the Leeds University Multi-storey car park should the spaces by the Union be unavailable. Additional spaces are also provided off-Campus at the Woodhouse Lane Multi-storey. All parking options are listed here.
Other Transport:
Walking: The University campus is approximately one mile from Leeds city station. Download the University walking and cycling map of the surrounding area.
By train, bike or bus: Leeds station connects us with all major UK cities and has a fast and efficient London service. For train information and timetables visit the National Rail Enquiries website. There are a number of excellent bus services in Leeds. Visit the West Yorkshire Metro website and First Leeds for timetables and general information. There is also a city bus which stops at the bus and train stations and the southern end of campus (near the back of Leeds General Infirmary A&E) every 10 minutes from 06:30 – 19:30 Monday to Saturday.
Visit the National Express website for details.
Customers With Medical Needs:
We welcome attendees who need to bring medicines, food or drink to manage medical conditions, or medical equipment. Please contact our access team if you have any concerns.
Assistance Dogs: We are proactive on the use of assistance dogs and can provide water and other facilities should you require them.
Strobe Lighting: The venues do include strobe lighting and other ‘flash-based’ effects as standard. In addition, as many of our events include aspects of ‘toured production’ – which are outside of the venue’s control, we urge you to contact us for more information on an event-specific basis at the earliest opportunity.
Toilets:
We have an access toilet on almost every floor of the building.
All of our toilets are accessible by lifts, which means whichever venue you’re in, you’re never far from your nearest accessible toilet.
Baby Changing Facilities: Our accessible toilets are equipped with baby changing facilities. We also have a dedicated changing place.
Booking Access Facilities:
Please email us at access@leedsunionevents.com to arrange booking any access facilities.
Accessible Ticketing: Every accessible customer is entitled to one free companion ticket with their purchased ticket. Please email us at access@leedsunionevents.com to arrange.
Accessible Viewing Platform: All of our venues have a designated accessible viewing area.
Please note: there is limited space in this area, and it is reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Wheelchairs: We have space for 4 wheelchairs per event in our venues. Please note: there is limited space in this area, and it is reserved on a first come, first served basis. Please email us at access@leedsunionevents.com to arrange a space.
Priority Entry: This will allow you access 15 minutes early entry prior to doors, so you can find a suitable position that is comfortable for you. We also provide this for all seated and wheelchair spaces.
Seated Spaces: We can provide seated spaces for anyone who needs them. These are booked on a first come, first-serve basis so sometimes they are not always available. Please let us know in good time if you require a seated space and we will confirm this with you. Please note that any companions will not automatically be provided a seated ticket, as these are of limited availability, we always reserve these for those with accessibility needs. Companions are however welcome to stand in the seated area.
Times
Start:
2024-11-08T19:30:00+00:00
End:
2024-11-08T23:00:00+00:00
Category
Music
Tickets
General Admission
30.0
GBP
46