Future Islands

I had this assignment to write a review of someone else’s review of a show or exhibit or some kind of performance. I love Future Islands and I’ve spent a lot of time in Chicago so I covered an analysis by Michael Roffman and Heather Kaplan on the bands’ new album preview show at a new Chicago venue, for Consequence of Sound.

1. Publication: Consequence of Sound
2. Reviewers: Michael Roffman and Heather Kaplan
3. Artists: Future Islands, synth pop band
4. Location: House of Vans Chicago
5. Live Review: Future Islands Preview New Album at House of Vans Chicago (2/3)
6. Structure:
   1. Lead: Starts with a quote from the lead vocalist, Samuel T. Herring, “Oh fuck, it feels so good to be in this city.” The crowd is happy, the venue is new and hip, and Herring is energetic and in a good mood as they begin to perform their 13-song set. Of those 13 songs, seven were tracks from the upcoming album.
   2. Thesis: The concert performance was fun, the venue was the perfect setting, and their new album is going to be a welcome, anticipated addition to Future Islands’ repertoire.
   3. Summary: Roffman and Kaplan describe the scene at the show – the way the front man performs and how the crowd interacts with the band and the new digs. “Herring and co. appeared hungrier than ever. Of course, it helps that they were surrounded by rabid fans, playing in an ultra-chic venue that also doubles as an indoor skatepark…” They pull out the new tracks the band played and describe their sounds and influences. “Elsewhere, ‘North Star’ brushes up against Remain in Light-era Talking heads with the harmonies of early aughts U2, while ‘Candles’ sounds like that one song that plays in The Breakfast Club when Ally Sheedy wins over Emilio Estevez after she stops acting like a nutbar.” Then they bring it to a close with an anecdote about Herring encouraging the crowd to work together in this new political reality, and the understanding he then extends to a rowdy, offended concertgoer. “Just don’t kick him out. Let him watch from the back.”
   4. Conclusion: “Win, win.”
7. This piece was a combination review of a Future Islands concert performance, the Baltimore synth pop band’s soon to be released fifth studio album “The Far Field,” and the new House of Vans Chicago venue where the show was held. What it doesn’t do is go very deeply into any one of those parts.

There isn’t a lot about the band’s instrumentation during the show, and really no mention of the other band members besides front man Samuel T. Herring. He’s the only one whose performance is part of the review – his singing powered by “muscular gusto.”

They do touch on instrumental techniques in the band’s new songs, like “Cave” and its bass line calling back to U2’s “New Year’s Day.” “Only it’s a total stunner, one of the big highlights of the album – and it’s even better live.” And they describe some of what they already know to expect (and that might entice an unfamiliar reader), like “the band’s uncanny patience for letting the rhythm build and build at an almost gluttonous pace,” the latter of which the reviewers can dig. “That’s a good thing.”

U2 was brought up as an influence on the new tracks more than once, along with Bonnie Tyler, and “Remain in Light-era Talking Heads.” If you liked what was on the radio in the 1980’s, then you’d probably like what a “blast of synths, emotions and grooves,” these new songs have to give.

It’s noted that over half of the entire setlist at this show came from the upcoming album, which Herring had warned the crowd of earlier in the night. “We’re going to be playing a lot of it tonight just to fuck with you…because tonight’s for fucking around.”

House of Vans Chicago sounds like a cool place to see a show but there’s no description other than to tell readers it’s “an ultra chic venue that also doubles as an indoor skatepark.” Are people skating during the show? What does ultra-chic look like in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago?

Also only briefly touched on is the rest of the night’s billing, including hip-hop old-schoolers Digable Planets and local Chicago hip-hop poet Noname. There’s no review of those performances, since this was technically about Future Islands’ album, but it might have added some context to the night’s vibe.

What this review lacks in depth, it makes up for with a feel-good story when a slight altercation gets resolved without much issue. Herring mentions the new federal administration and asks the crowd to help each other make it through the “bullshit.” A rowdy concertgoer gets offended and starts a fight. Herring practices what he preaches and implores security to let the guy stay. “Don’t kick him out. Just don’t kick him out. Let him watch from the back.” And they did.

Other than that the quick, high-energy show was a success. The crowd was into it – dancing and drinking and singing. And the songs were executed with aplomb, especially the new ones, which can be a tough sell when you’ve got older hits the crowd wants to hear (they heard those too).

There wasn’t anything in this review that couldn’t have been understood by someone who knows nothing about the band, and perhaps that’s what’s useful about it not being overly detailed or drawn out. It did have an added bonus of the inclusion of the setlist, which can be handy for someone who was there and wants to remember what was playing while they stood in line for a beer or the bathroom. “Win, win.”