Chad Butler of Switchfoot, which plays The BayCare Sound in Clearwater, Florida on Aug. 2, 2024. Credit: Photo via chadbutler/Instagram

Chad Butler told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the best gig he ever saw was at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego County. It was 1991, and the poster featured Red Hot Chili Peppers with Pearl Jam and Nirvana as support.

“I witnessed first hand the power of music to bring people together in a magical experience,” Butler, who plays drums for Switchfoot, added.

Justin Furstenfeld, frontman of Blue October., which headlines Clearwater’s BayCare Sound this weekend told CL that seeing Australian rock band Midnight Oil on its Diesel and Dust tour was his best gig ever.

“The lead singer Peter Garrett was so insane and such a good front man. It was during the winter. I remember seeing his bald head steaming like a devil. His energy was contagious and inspiring,” Furstenfeld said. “At that moment, I wanted to be him.”

Both Butler and Furstenfeld brings their own magic to this tour, which also ridiculously-charming songwriter Matt Nathanson.

Read Chad Butler’s full response below.

Tickets to see Blue October and Switchfoot play The BayCare Sound in Clearwater on Friday, Aug. 2 are still available and start at $49.50.

“The best gig I ever saw” was during my formative years of high school in San Diego, when the Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined at the Del Mar fairgrounds with Nirvana and Pearl Jam as support. For me to see the Chili Peppers in my hometown was an epic moment in and of itself, but to add Nirvana and Pearl Jam was beyond my wildest teenage alt-rock dreams! Pearl Jam opened the show, barely having released their first album Ten that very week. Eddie Vedder climbed the lighting scaffolding and hung precariously above the crowd while singing 40 feet above the pit!

During Pearl Jam’s set a water pipe burst in the venue and flooded the floor in front of the stage adding to the drama of Eddie’s antics. After the flood was resolved, the promoter finally brought on Nirvana. The sight of Kurt, Kris, and Dave brought the crowd to a frenzy as “Smells like Teen Spirit” had just hit the radio waves and everybody sang along to all the Nevermind songs like their life depended on it.

By the time the Chili Peppers took the stage, the crowd was already in a state of euphoria that only went upwards with their positive energy and signature brand of funk. An epic performance of excellent musicianship and charismatic unification of the masses.

Concerts like this one shaped my worldview. I witnessed first hand the power of music to bring people together in a magical experience. Music has the power to unite humanity from all walks of life, from diverse backgrounds, to sing the same song together. What a gift, and a moment I will never forget.”—Chad Butler, Switchfoot

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