ON TOUR | Future Islands - Enmore Theatre 5th Dec 2017
When the Baltimore-based band take to the stage, they are greeted with an explosion of excitement from the packed out Sydney audience. Future Islands are in full flow straight away, with their dreamy brand of thumping synthpop. Many here clearly know this band well, and understand that all in attendance will be in for quite a treat tonight.
Frontman Sam Herring is quickly swinging about all over the stage, extolling his unique and varied vocals. Anyone new to the band might interpret this aggressive, spirited display as a joke, but it's not. The man is simply full to the brim with raw emotion which, in addition to his lyrics, can't help but burst out in the form of strange interpretive dance - which fans welcome with open arms.
To watch Herring onstage is to witness a human performance quite unlike anything else. Hips swivel, limbs are chucked about with abandon, all while thumping his chest like King Kong - screaming and roaring unexpected lyrics. It's quite a disorienting effect, and one that keep the audience on its toes at all times. One moment he's Nina Simone, the next he's Nina Simone transforming into a werewolf. He howls at the audience. The audience, loving it, howl back.
Photos courtesy of Belinda Harding @ Gigamov.
Gerrit Welmers provides the misty synths, while William Cashion offers up his throbbing basslines. Touring drummer Michael Lowry does a fantastic job keeping things ticking along nicely.
This is a band that have to be seen to be believed - the Letterman performance, which confused the Internet back in 2014, is only half of the story.
Do what you can to see this band.
Future Islands are currently touring Australia. Click HERE for more details.
