words by Deepak Mantena (Junk Culture), photos & video by Autumn Andel





The first time I met Future Islands was at the now defunct Baltimore DIY space Jesus Camp in 2010. I was playing a show with Adventure and Moss of Aura, the solo project of Gerrit Welmers from Future Islands. I still vividly remember the audience's unplanned yet naturally synchronized sway when Deem, from Moss of Aura's "Still Parade", started playing. Frontman Samuel Herring was in attendance on crutches, recovering (as he reminded me last week) from an injury sustained in the middle of performing as part of a live Dan Deacon show in Europe. Herring still finished the show.

The first time I actually saw Future Islands perform was a few months later. I played a show with them when they came through my hometown on tour with Lower Dens. Ask any fan or friend of Future Islands about them and you'll consistently hear the same two words: honest and hardworking. The hardworking part isn't supernatural — they were already four-year road warriors by that point. It's the confident honesty that's so special. Everyone in the audience felt like Herring was sharing a piece of time with just them, even if it was just for a moment. Sweat dripping, eyes locked. Each live song was a real performance without feeling calculated. To be so genuinely engaging in a live setting is hard work. I've been a fan ever since.

Jump forward 4 years to their (very) sold-out show at Doug Fir in Portland, OR on 4/5. The night was a Baltimore lovefest, with the bubbly-ambient drones of Jason Urick kicking it off and the frenetic Ed Schrader's Music Beat playing next. Which reminds me: go see Ed Schrader's Music Beat immediately — total surprise of the night.

Denny Bowen (formerly of Double Dagger, currently of Roomrunner) is on live drums for Future Islands this tour. The stoic precision of Bowen, Welmers, and bassist William Cashion provided excellent contrast to the tirelessly raw and off-the-wall Herring. The set was an equal mix of old and new, hitting on the inevitable "Seasons (Waiting On You)" and "Tin Man" but also bringing some tenderness to more restrained tracks like "Little Dreamer" and "A Song For Our Grandfathers." During their encore, a cadre of fans rushed the stage mid-song to dance along.

Future Islands "Vireo's Eye", live in Portland



After witnessing their live set, it should be obvious to even the freshest Letterman fan that their success is anything but a flash in the pan. If you get a chance to see them live, don't hesitate - they are on top of their shit and it's a thrill to watch.

At Coachella this weekend and next, their tour hits a sold out Webster Hall in NYC on April 30. They played Bowery Ballroom earlier in the trek. The band also just announced they'll appear on TV again, this time on Jimmy Kimmel Live! On May 5.

Ed Schrader's Music Beat continues touring with Future Islands, but also plays Shea Stadium in Brooklyn on June 13. They also just released a brand new track from their new album Party Jail which comes out via Infinity Cat on May 20. You can listen to "Televan" below.

All dates are also listed with more pictures and video from the Portland show, below...





Ed Schrader's Music Beat

Future Islands

Future Islands "Back In The Tall Grass" live in Portland



Future Islands "Before the Bridges"



Future Islands "Inch of Dust"



Future Islands "Long Fight"



Future Islands "Seasons"



Future Islands -- 2014 Tours Dates:

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH ED SCHRADER'S MUSIC BEAT

April 12 - Indio, CA @ Coachella

April 15 - Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room SOLD OUT

April 16 - Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar

April 17 - Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet's SOLD OUT

April 19 - Indio, CA @ Coachella

April 20 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom

April 21 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace

April 22 - Marfa, TX @ Padre's

April 23 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk SOLD OUT

April 24 - Dallas, TX @ Three Links SOLD OUT

April 25 - Little Rock, AR @ Stickyz Rock'n'Roll Chicken Shack

April 26 - Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree

April 27 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle SOLD OUT

April 29 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church SOLD OUT

April 30 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall SOLD OUT

May 1 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club SOLD OUT

UK / EUROPEAN TOUR WITH ED SCHRADER'S MUSIC BEAT

May 7 - London, UK @ Electric Ballroom SOLD OUT

May 8 - Manchester, UK @ Sound Control SOLD OUT

May 9 - Bristol, UK @ Start the Bus SOLD OUT

May 10 - Brighton, UK @ The Great Escape

May 11 - Ghent, BE @ Vooruit

May 12 - Paris, FR @ Le Trabendo

May 13 - Metz, FR @ Les Trinitaires

May 14 - Munster, DE @ Gleis 22

May 16 - Aarhus, DK @ Pop Revo Festival

May 17 - Hannover, DE @ Cafe Glocksee

May 18 - Dresden, DE @ Beatpol

May 19 - Leipzig, DE @ Conne Island

May 20 - Nurnberg, DE @ K4

May 21 - St. Gallen, SUI @ Palace

May 22 - Luzern, SUI @ Sudpol

May 23 - Offenbach, DE @ Hafen 2

May 25 - Koln, DE @ Gebaude 9

May 26 - Munchen, DE @ Feierwerk

May 28 - Wien, AUT @ Flex

May 29 - Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound

May 30 - Mannheim, DE @ Maifeld Derby Festival

May 31 - Neustrelitz, DE @ Immergut Festival

June 3 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club

June 4 - Glasgow, UK @ SWG3

June 5 - Liverpool, UK @ The Kazimier

June 7 - Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2

June 8 - London, UK @ Field Day