Bump in The Night: Future Islands Play the Malkin Bowl

September 10th, 2024

Under a slate gray sky, surrounded by towering cedar and fir, Future Islands took the stage at the Malkin Bowl for the first of two sold-out shows in Vancouver. This was to be their first stop on their North American tour following the release of their new album, People Who Aren't There Anymore.

From a set you could easily mistake for a theater backdrop, the band emerged in a fittingly dramatic fashion, backed by golden light, surrounded by mist, met by the cheers of eager fans. The show commenced with the bouncy “King of Sweden,” and toured through hits both new and classic. The band played with their characteristic driving drums, playful synths, and steady bass, all punctuated by the theatrical vocals of lead singer Samuel T. Herring. Herring sings like an actor delivering a monologue, sometimes slipping into a demonic growl, pantomiming the images in his lyrics, and moving with an intensity of a broadway star. He pounds his chest, slaps the stage floor, wheels around, rolls his body, and hefts his weight into the air with a carefully timed punch. The Vancouver crowd cheered his every move.

Herring mentioned the five week break the band took before embarking on this tour, a break that offered some respite and relaxation, but risked them getting a little “rusty and dusty.” But Future Islands showed no signs of fatigue during their set. Now in their 18th year, nearing 1,500 shows, they tirelessly matched the energy of the crowd.

As the ceiling of cloud above gave way to inky black night, a gentle rain began to fall. But the crowd wasn’t deterred. If anything, it made them move with greater vigor. If this was Future Islands shaking off the dust, they did it with finesse, promising great shows to come as their tour takes off.