Venue:
O2 Apollo Manchester
Date: 24/11/2017
Like most I first became aware of Future Islands via the viral video of their performance of Seasons on David Letterman. 3 years, 2 albums and numerous failed attempts I finally get to see them in the flesh.
Entering to a darkened stage the opening notes signal a transformation into a red backdrop, the up lights marking Sam T Herring as some possessed preacher fighting demons’ song by song for the next 2 hours. Each synth pop opus sees him gyrating and sliding across the floor, his voice switching from a smooth baritone to death metal growl in an instant. Punching, pleading, winning each battle against the unseen hordes before taking a breath and starting all over again.
He is not alone in his endeavour, watched over by William Cashion (bass), Gerrit Welmers (keyboards) & Michael Lowry (drums) who propel the tales of melancholia along with sublime dance beats. The crowd cheering and dancing, willing Sam on to reach the heights. It truly is a site to see.
Promoting the current album, The Far Fields and covering much of the Singles album you cannot help but get caught up in the whirlwind before you. The album, Singles, for me has been a touchstone I’ve returned to again and again over a particular difficult 12 months personally and I’m not ashamed that whist singing at the top of my lungs along to Seasons (Waiting For You) I shed a few tears. That’s what made this show special, emotions shown on stage were reciprocated by everyone in the crowd. Of all the bands and singers I like and admire, Future Islands never fail to do something every time I listen to them, they make me smile and in today’s world that’s truly something special.
The audience:
Packed in like sardines.
It made me think..
Maybe there is such a thing as the healing power of music.
I’m not sure what I think of FI’s music, but Herring is a hell of a performer.
Most of my friends are not fans either but they have really struck a chord with me over the past few years. You certainly get your moneys worth watching him live.
In any other band he’d be a fish out of water.
I understand he got terribly drunk on the Swedish tour.
I’m sorry to say it’s the lead singer that puts me off this lot. Quite like the music but somehow the singer makes me queasy.
I was one of the sardines packed watching them at Bournemouth o2 on Saturday night. I used think they were some kind of novelty act with a couple of decent tunes on their Singles album, but became rather more fond of The Far Field.
Thought they were OK at the weekend, and certainly better than when I saw half their show at End Of The Road a few years back (I bailed). So Ok, not great.
Support act Zack Mexico were surprisingly good though. Better than the headliner in the opinion both myself and mate I attended with. Found myself buying their CD the next day.