Future Islands make big waves in Grand Rapids concert

The buzzed-about Baltimore synthpop band electrified a sold-out crowd at The Pyramid Scheme on the same day that it released its new album, “Singles.” (Review, photo gallery)

 

All it took was national audiences getting one look at Future Islands’ television debut on March 3 (via “The Late Show with David Letterman”) to propel the band into orbit.

The late-night host and the Internet were transfixed; hypnotized and delighted by frontman/vocalist Samuel T. Herring’s singular stage delivery of the band’s new hit “Seasons (Waiting on You),” with the YouTube video of the performance already at a half-million views and counting.

“How ’bout that? I’ll take all of that you’ve got!” Letterman said after the band’s performance, approaching Herring with an ear-to-ear grin and a bit of a spring in his step.

Had Letterman witnessed Future Islands’ sold-out show Tuesday night at the Pyramid Scheme, he would’ve gotten all of that and so much more. New fans concerned that the Letterman appearance was just a “thing” Herring did for the TV cameras must have been delighted to come face-to-face with a truly magnetic frontman.

Clad in the now-trademark black T-shirt tucked into belted black “dad” jeans, Herring, dipped and growled his way through a tight 80-minute set that mixed material from the band’s older catalog with numbers from the new record, “Singles,” released just earlier that day.

Sweat dripped off Herring’s face and pooled onto the stage as the singer beat his fist against his chest and looked to the sky or leaned down to tenderly caress a fan’s face. His gesticulations often were those of a Shakespearean actor, except his backing drama was the killer synth pop for which the band has become known.

Every song was well received by an incredibly welcoming capacity crowd that reached longingly out to Herring and company and often jumped along to the choruses of the more popular songs. The last time Future Islands made a Grand Rapids appearance, only about three dozen fans showed up. On Tuesday, it was a packed house of enthused fans.

The Baltimore three-piece currently is touring with a drummer — an addition that strengthens the stage dynamic.

Their sound on Tuesday was electric. The performance, magnetic. Engrossing. Cathartic. Exhausting. A pedal-to-the-floor rendition of “Tin Man” (from 2010’s “In the Evening Air”) left me gasping for breath.

This is something I haven’t experienced at a live show in, well, I don’t know how long and I have attended some truly outstanding shows. The evening’s down-tempo closer, “Little Dreamer,” was the soothing coda we needed. Though, I’m not afraid to admit, the adrenaline was coursing through my veins long after the band exited the stage.

Baltimore two-piece and Future Island buddies Ed Schrader’s Music Beat opened the show.

Check out the Local Spins photo gallery by Anthony Norkus, with a brief video snippet below.

Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
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