The Jonas Brothers opened their JONAS20: Greetings From Your Hometown tour Saturday night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a surprise guest: Switchfoot.
Midway through the set, Joe Jonas introduced the San Diego rock group as “one of our biggest inspirations.” Switchfoot immediately launched into their 2003 breakthrough single, “Meant to Live,” prompting a full-stadium sing-along. The band then joined the Jonas Brothers for “Hold On,” a track from the brothers’ 2007 self-titled album that they have credited as being inspired by Switchfoot’s songwriting.
“Switchfoot is still a huge inspiration for us,” Joe Jonas told the crowd.
The collaboration extends beyond the stage. Switchfoot and frontman Jon Foreman co-wrote the title track to Greetings From Your Hometown, the Jonas Brothers’ latest album and the namesake of their current tour.
Both groups rose to prominence in the early 2000s, building followings with radio-ready anthems and a mix of rock and pop sensibilities. Saturday’s performance marked the first time the two bands had appeared on stage together, turning a long-standing influence into a live collaboration before more than 80,000 fans.
