2007/08: Rock Your World
Launch of the School Invasion Tour at Temasek Junior College
Partner: School Invasion Tour
It was an extra-special day for students in Temasek Junior College (TJC) as the School Invasion Tour, endorsed by the Speak Good English Movement, kicked off their 6 month long tour in the TJC auditorium on 31 January 2008!
Besides being the first stop of the School Invasion Tour and being treated to performances by local music favourites and Speak Good English Movement activists, West Grand Boulevard, and Caracal, TJC played host to special guests, American rock band Switchfoot on their maiden trip to Singapore!
The day started off with a media-only press conference in one of the TJC music rooms where journalists and photographers got to get up close and personal with Switchfoot as they mused on their Singapore visit and professed their love for sugarcane juice!
Meanwhile, hordes of students descended upon the auditorium hours before the concert hoping to grab the best seats only to be blocked at the entrance by worried-looking student helpers. When the doors were finally opened to them, the eager students burst in and claimed seats in prime positions.
The auditorium was filled to over capacity as students sat on steps and stood at the back of auditorium – the lack of proper seating not weakening their desire to be part of this unique experience.
Before everyone got a chance to settle down, 987FM DJs Justin & Vernon, more popularly known as the Muttons, appeared on stage and got the crowd hyped up and anticipating the great show that was at hand.
First up was local rock band Caracal! As they appeared on stage and proceeded to set up their instruments, groups of students surged to the front of the stage creating a mini mosh pit, albeit a tame version more fitting to their school attire. With their boyish charm and their catchy fast-paced numbers, Caracal got everyone nodding to the beat and showed off their agility with some choreographed dance moves.
Next, headlining band of the School Invasion Tour and Speak Good English Movement activists, West Grand Boulevard, took the stage to deafening cheers! Their popularity was clear to everyone present.
West Grand Boulevard rocked out their infectious tunes and it was plain to see that the band was having as good a time as the ecstatic students who were definitely having their worlds rocked by the Speak Good English Movement activists. The mosh pit in front of the stage grew even bigger as friends were dragged in to get closer to the band.
When West Grand Boulevard took their bows and left the stage, a stool was brought out and placed in front of a lone microphone. There was an air of excitement as the students waited, gazing at the stage expectantly, willing the next act to appear before them.
The students got their silent wishes granted and more when Jonathan Foreman, lead singer of Switchfoot, walked out onto the stage with an acoustic guitar in hand and settled onto the stool. He was about to treat the TJC students to a special Switchfoot acoustic performance! Audible gasps could be heard from the audience as excited students looked at each other and cheered.
Jonathan Foreman greeted the students’ rapturous cheers and screams and launched into his first song, “Meant To Live”. He followed that with two more popular numbers, “Only Hope” – a song made popular by singer Mandy Moore, and a more recent favourite, “Dare You To Move”. His voice rang clear out into the auditorium as everyone quietened down to listen to the songs, not wanting to miss a single note and savouring every second of this once in a lifetime performance.
When the final chord faded into the appreciate students’ whoops and cheers, Jonathan Foreman complimented TJC for their rousing reception and bade everyone farewell, walking off the stage amidst deafening applause.
The students did not let up their cheering and now chants of “Encore!” swelled up as the Muttons, Justin and Vernon, ended the first leg of the School Invasion Tour.
But that wasn’t all! Students got to meet and chat with Speak Good English Movement activists West Grand Boulevard and Caracal outside the auditorium after the show. Eager students shook hands and gushed excitedly at members from both bands as they milled around and posed for photos.
The School Invasion Tour drew to a close on their first stop and TJC students were treated to a spectacular experience that will certainly remain on their minds for a long time to come.
Check out the School Invasion Tour website!
Related posts: