Originating from Baltimore, Maryland, United States, Future Islands is an American synthpop band consisting of Samuel T. Herring (vocals), William Cashion (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Gerrit Welmers (keyboards, programming, backing vocals). Since the band first started in 2006, its unique synth-heavy indie pop sound and intense, emotional performances have drawn a committed following.
Future Islands did not, however, become more well-known until their fourth record Singles, which came out in March 2014, after praise for their earlier albums In Evening Air published in 2010, and On the Water released in 2012. The song "Seasons (Waiting on You)’s first single, Singles—which got critical praise and topped the Billboard Alternative Albums chart—turned out to be the band's most successful album up to then.
Future Islands toured all across the world in 2014 and again in 2015 after this breakout record. Along with fests such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Pitchfork Music Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Primavera Sound Festival, Roskilde Festival, and others, it also visited They opened for The National, Belle and Sebastian, Nine Inch Nails, and their live performance was as striking.
Returning to the studio, the band began working on a new record in early 2017; the fifth studio album, The Far Field, was released in April 2017 on 4AD. In terms of words and emotions, the album once again found the band veering in new directions. Songs like "Ran" and "Cave" faithfully caught the band's unique sound of 1980s synths and Herring's operatic vocals.
The Far Field tour was active from 2017 to 2018, as Future Island increased the scale of their live show to accommodate for the album’s larger statements. Throughout North America, Europe, and Australia, they performed most of the headlining gigs themselves alongside festivals such as Panorama, Pitchfork Paris, and End of the Road, among others. They even performed ‘Ran’ on the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien when they were still up for it at night.
Following this grueling stint for The Far Field tour, Future Island had a considerably less busy year in 2019 as they went on to write for the new album. However, the band continued to play festivals occasionally at Primavera Sound, All Points East, and other festivals.
The band released information about their new album in early 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped most live concert touring. The last single was “For Sure” and it set the tone for the band’s new musical direction of synthetic pop music with an electronic dance feeling.
However, the worldwide health crisis halted the As Long As You Are tour soon after the release of the album. However, Future Islands have postponed a large number of their North American and European tour dates for 2022 and 2023. Future Islands has already performed at some festivals in late 2021 and now they have a headlining tour starting in February 2022.
The first part of the tour, featuring 28 concerts in North America, takes place in Spring 2022 across the United States and Canada. Some of the stops include The Met in Philadelphia, House of Blues in Boston, two shows in Brooklyn Steel, and so on. The supporting acts for the night are Oklou, HANA, and RNTEL.
After touring across the United States and Canada up to April 2022, Future Island goes to the United Kingdom and Europe for another 18 shows in May and June 2022. This leg consists of shows across Manchester, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and many other large cities.
After completing this rather massive run backing As Long As You Are, Future Islands will probably perform at festivals throughout the summer of 2022. He then returns to the road in the Fall of 2022 for another tour consisting of 24 dates which is across the U. S. Southeast region and West Coast. These further chances to see this passionate band further into a Future Islands live set continue into 2023 as well, with a 10-date UK/EU tour announced for February 2023 as well.
Given Future Islands’ non-stop touring in support of each of their records since the release of In the Night Garden in 2010, fans can surely expect even more concerts to be announced in the remainder of the year and through 2023. It is now over a decade since their formation, yet this energetic group continues to record and tour at a rate few bands could match.
Future Islands has a long history of having a vast discography and a reputation for passionate performances that have intense appeal so any fan of the group is sure to find something they like when they are touring through the area. Whether you are a dedicated synthpop enthusiast or just an individual in desperate need of an emotionally driven theatrical performance, Future Islands do not disappoint, as Herring pours his soul into each note, backed by powerful beats and sharp synths.
Thus, for those who will be fortunate enough to get a chance to see Future Islands on their current As Long As You Are tour or at any other point in the future, the band has dozens of such incredibly powerful and enthusiastic shows left in them. As far ahead as the band and its members plan on touring, Future Islands will remain a staple in the international post-wave scene, performing in cities around the world.
