What a year Future Islands are having. Their new album Singles has had a lasting impact that has seen the band reach levels of exposure that have evaded them in the past. A now infamous performance on Letterman no doubt proved a catalyst toward the success currently being enjoyed, but beyond all that is a band that writes heartfelt, powerful music that’s as evocative as it is danceable.
Opening with a double header of Singles tracks, the band are treated to a rapturous reception as ‘Back In The Tall Grass’ canters along in steady fashion. ‘Sun In The Morning’ offers more in the way of a chorus, obediently shouted out amongst the crowd, before the band turn back the clock with renditions of ‘Balance’ and ‘Before The Bridge’. The older songs serve to illustrate how the addition of a live drummer has really galvanised and improved the overall sound, with the tracks finding a new lease of life and sounding better than ever. ‘Tin Man’ is a particular standout, with a climax that sees the volume turned up to 11 and the intensity even higher.
What impresses most about Future Islands is undoubtedly frontman Samuel T. Herring, who is every bit as charismatic and show-stopping as expected. While many frontmen concern themselves with a perceived ‘coolness’ or bravado, there is no such act from Herring. Every word that comes from his mouth feels like an honest one, whether that be singing lyrics or introducing a song, which he does so in a manner not unlike the narrator of a movie. Watching him, the audience has a window into a life full of the pain his songs portray, every ounce of which he puts into his performance. Quite how he puts so much into this on a nightly basis is astounding.
Introducing ‘Spirit’, Herring speaks of the fire inside, desperate to get out and it becomes clear that he is not just performing, he is living through the music around him. Every time a song starts, he lets it consume him and subsequently everyone else lucky enough to be in the venue. The song itself then bursts into life, twitchy rhythms and an energy that belies the other band members, who go about their business in understated fashion, the necessary Jekyll to Herring’s Hyde. ‘Walking Through That Door’ and ‘Long Flight’ end the set and it’s hard to imagine how Herring can even have the energy to return for an encore. The crowd demand one regardless, and after a bit of a wait Future Islands return to treat Bristol to ‘Inch Of Dust’, a slow burner full of raw emotion that typifies just how emotionally resonant this band can be, as cries of “call on me, I’ll be there always” ring around the room. ‘Vireo’s Eye’ then ends the night for good in frenetic and upbeat fashion, a barrage of swirling synths and muscular rhythm.
Future Islands are evocative, unique and faultlessly entertaining in the live setting. They play to their idiosyncrasies and are all the better for it. In Herring they have a frontman bold enough to take them to new heights, but humble enough to know his feet belong on the ground, wherever success takes them.
Setlist:
Back In The Tall Grass
Sun In The Morning
Balance
Before The Bridge
A Dream Of You And Me
Tin Man
Doves
A Song For Our Grandfathers
Beach Foam
Seasons (Waiting On You)
Spirit
Walking Through That Door
Long Flight
Inch Of Dust
Vireo’s Eye
