Future Islands
16th December 2017
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review and Photography by Sarah Kidd.
They say that the eyes are the window to the soul, and if that is true than Samuel T Herrings are the windows to a hundred. Following on from their standout performance back in 2015 at Laneway Festival, Future Islands have already played two sold out shows in Wellington on Thursday and Friday night and now it’s Auckland’s turn.
As the fans flood through the doors and position themselves around the room on another warm Saturday evening, they are treated to the synth-noir sounds of Silicon, the eclectic project of former Mint Chick and Opossum musician Kody Nielson. Layers of sound move together as one, small flourishes of keyboards, beeps and clicks, flitting across the drumming of Nielson who hovers between steady, methodical beat making and all out fury when required. There are no true vocals, apart from some interesting utterings from Nielsons partner in crime, but none are required as each composition speaks for itself, its message interpreted by each audience member in its own unique way.
Nearing 10pm and The Powerstation is heaving, bodies of all ages pressing together in anticipation of what is to come next. Fevered whisperings suddenly wash through from the back of the crowd as it is noted that even the Prime Minister herself has made an appearance to see Future Islands – her obviously good taste in music being met with nods of approval and smiles around the room.
As the lights go down, the crowd roars, the line of young fans at the barrier throwing their arms into the air, their outstretched hands holding invisible offerings of love and devotion for this band whose songs have touched so very many. Indeed there is even a gentleman in attendance tonight who speaks of how Future Islands saved his marriage. As the band takes their places the lights stay low, a glow slowly building along the back curtain to illuminate bassist William Cashion, keyboardist Gerrit Welmers and drummer Michael Lowry from the ground up. They stand in a line across the back, Welmers and Cashion flanking either side of the shimmering drum kit, leaving oodles of space in front of them; a necessity for what is about to happen next.
Any fan that has had the pleasure of seeing Future Islands live previously knows that that space is about to be filled completely by the whirlwind that is Herring, in fact it is one of the biggest components of their popularity, earning them the title of ‘must see live act’. Indeed watching Herring is like watching a man possessed, dressed as if for a day in the office, his dark blue shirt tucked into his belted black jeans, he cuts quite the conservative figure. But moments later he is a vortex of emotion, his weapon of choice a mic with an extra-long cord that he whips about the stage. Within the opening song ‘In The Fall’, Herring travels at least several kilometres as he moves from one side of the stage to the other, intensely looking into the eyes of each and every fan, his animated hand movements punctuating each line emphatically.
Herring is a force of nature.
Indeed the band itself remain rather physically static throughout the show in comparison to the gyrating Herring, but the music that flows from them – a blend of 80’s synth-pop stippled with indie and rock then infused in the liquid elixir that is Herrings vocals – is pure and true. Indeed Herrings vocals range from soaring beauty to fascinating, almost inhaled death growls that send a bolt of electricity up the spines of the crowd each and every time without fail. Moving through the set, Herring often gives the audience a little insight into each of the songs, dedicating tracks such as ‘Time on Her Side’ to ‘all the strong women out there’ or speaking of how ‘Song For Our Grandfathers’ is about the “burnt out fields in North Carolina”.
One thing is for sure, Herring gives himself over to each and every track completely, his dark blue shirt soon dripping wet; each and every beat of his fist across his chest sounding like a slap across the surface of a lake. This is passion, and the crowd loves him for it, their dancing matching his energy levels as they bond through his words. ‘Seasons’ elicited one of the biggest crowd sing a longs of the night, Herring often curling his moustachioed lips in a genuine smile of appreciation as the crowd reach out to him, gifting him their voices as a small token of their appreciation. Finishing their set on ‘Spirit’ Herring thanks one and all for their love and support, it is done without the cliché comments of Auckland being the ‘best’ or the ‘loudest’ crowd; it is given and received with affection.
Returning to stage for a three song encore, Herring advises the audience that it’s “their last chance to dance!” as the infectious opening lines of ‘Vireo’s Eyes’ builds and then explodes outwards from the stage, the fans giving it everything they have one last time. Future Islands then take it all the way back down for ‘Little Dreamer’, Herring delivering such an emotional performance of the 2008 track from their Electropop album that there were certainly more than one fan with watering eyes. A true gentleman, Herring thanked not only all in attendance but the promoter herself for everything she has done on this tour “it’s been fun” he beams.
What a way to finish the year.
Future Islands:
Silicon:
Were you there at the Powerstation for this synth-pop extravaganza? Or have you seen Future Islands perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- In The Fall
- Beauty Of The Road
- Ran
- A Dream Of You And Me
- Time On Her Side
- Walking Through The Door
- North Star
- Long Flight
- Before The Bridge
- Cave
- A Song For Our Grandfathers
- Ancient Water
- Inch Of Dust
- Seasons
- Tin Man
- Spirit
- Back In The Tall Grass [encore]
- Vireos Eyes [encore]
- Little Dreamer [encore]