Having seen Future Islands about five times over the past decade, their show at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Sept. 17, 2024, felt like a departure from the raw, emotional intensity that once defined their live performances. While it was still a robust and engaging show, this one leaned more into polished production and theatrical flair than the emotional spontaneity I remember from past gigs. Continue reading “Show Review: Future Islands at The Fox Theater — Oakland, 9/17/24”
Tag: Future Islands
Show Review: Future Islands with Oh, Rose at The Fillmore, 9/4/21
What is it that makes Future Islands great? Over fifteen years of consistent output has been compelling but can tend toward monotony. At first blush, the song lyrics are as boxy and obvious as the titles. The music is almost entirely devoid of melody. So what is it? Continue reading “Show Review: Future Islands with Oh, Rose at The Fillmore, 9/4/21”
Show Review: Future Islands, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 9/14/18
If you haven’t had the opportunity to acquaint yourself with the picturesque Gundlach Bundschu
The venue’s main stage is a cozy, dark, and ambient-lit renovated
Gundlach’s second stage features exquisite views of sprawling vineyard property. It is intimate but comfortably open and spacious for moving about during the show.
The opener, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat (ESMB), sauntered out anxiously, compensating with awkward stand up and 90s references. But the folks on the hill stood to attention when ESMB drilled forward at a fast pace into their avant garde post-punk set. Continue reading “Show Review: Future Islands, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, 9/14/18”
Preview: Pitchfork Music Festival, 2015
This Friday, July 17th, through Sunday, the 19th, 45+ bands will descend upon Chicago’s Union Park to perform at the 10th annual Pitchfork Music Festival. Tickets are officially sold out and that’s hardly a surprise. The stellar line-up consisting of the most iconic underground acts includes Wilco, Run the Jewels, Sleater-Kinney, Jamie XX, Future Islands, Perfume Genius, The Julie Ruin, Caribou, and Shamir.