Music / Reviews
Review: Future Islands, Bristol Beacon – ‘Raw, emotive and energetic’
Fresh from a huge show in Crystal Palace bowl as part of their extensive European and UK tour, Future Islands arrived in a very sunny and grateful Bristol.
Their here to celebrate People Who Aren’t There Anymore, their latest album released in January. Lyrically, it sees Samuel T Herring in an introspective mood and at a point of reflection on the band themselves, including the changes time has thrown at them seven albums in.
Together for 18 years, this gig feels like a reflective pause and a celebration of the achievement of surviving for so long in a difficult business. It also breeds optimism for the future: the new album sits up there as one of their best.
is needed now More than ever
Joon got the crowd going with her own brand of synth-pop
First we took our seats to catch tonight’s support act, Maltese artist Joon. She takes centre stage with her laptop, keyboards and microphone for company, but doesn’t appear daunted by the solo spotlight as she shimmers and entertains with robot yoga dance moves, letting the music move her.
She’s full of energy from the get-go, and fans in the audience reflect it straight back. Her performance is fitting for a tiny club with sweat dripping of the walls.
Trying out new music on the crowd, the three as-yet untitled tracks show that her creativity is clearly flowing. Across the set, her glowingly-tender synth-pop flows perfectly, making her a fitting warm-up for the main act.
I’d recommend getting in early to see her on future dates.
The synth-scene is set for what promises to be a special night at a sold-out Beacon. The stage is filled with an archway which provides the perfect tower for keyboard player Gerrit Welmers to rise above, casting a giant shadow across centre stage. Smoke fills a green-lit packed hall.
Then we’re off. “Wossup Bristol,” Herring beams.
“Bristol is special to me as it’s the only place I’ve ever actually fallen off stage!!”
As they kick off with album opener King Of Sweden, for those that didn’t know what they were in for it’s surely abundantly evident in an instant. Herring tears at an imaginary face mask, kneels low, kicks high and tip-toes, knees swinging together, around the stage.
Similarly to Joon, the music moves him: he reacts physically to each element of every song. If he didn’t have a mic I’d pay just to see him dance. And it just so happens that Future Islands brand of synth-pop provides the perfect platform for him to let loose.
The lyrics are often indecipherable, but who cares! It’s rare to see a performer acting so distinctly and so instinctively.
The records off a rich warm voice that melts over synths dripping with euphoric purity. Live it’s raw, emotive and energetic as Herring clearly channels the emotions that inspired the songs and pours them out, into and over us.
Joon joined the band onstage once again for Shadows
The band smash through several of the new songs and all is right in the Beacon. The Joon mega fans are still dancing and so are the crowd from the balcony to the front.
Herring sets the scene before each song and the show feels like a trip though Future Island’s rich musical past and present. This is a band of close friends, and it shows.
Shadows see’s the stage lit up in golden light creating fittingly huge shadows as Joon takes to the stage to sing Debbie Harry’s part. I knew it would happen but when it does it’s so glorious and she fits the song like a glove.
By this point Herring is in his element. He combines vulnerability, passion and humour to great effect. It’s an attack on the senses, with a sense of euphoria every time a song starts and he tries out another move. Seasons (Waiting On you) feels like the hit everyone has been waiting for as fans leap, lit up and energised.
Two hours fly by and suddenly it’s encore time. The band show their appreciation for a great evening, Herring let’s on that he’s split his trousers and they close with Little Dreamer.
The song epitomises Future Islands and it’s the perfect way ending. It’s raw and vulnerable, a story of youth, love, loss and hope, rounding off a show of theatrical perfection that is in every way befitting of the Bristol Beacon.
All photos: Matt Barnes
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
