Live Review: Future Islands and Oh Rose at the Shrine Auditorium

On September 18, 2024, an indie American synth-pop band called the Future Islands delivered a performance to remember at the iconic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. It was an enjoyable, captivating and unforgettable musical experience for the music lovers in the crowd.

The buzz was real as many fans entered one of the most enchanting venues. The Shrine Auditorium added a touch of luxury and sophistication. It showcased a grand and classic design with ornate architecture, an elegant balcony and plush velvet seats. The stunning lighting design added an extra layer of magic to the evening with the use of colorful beams and soft washes of light. The atmosphere of the place made it feel like a timeless orchestral concert hall.

The evening started with Oh Rose, an indie band who captivated the audience with their striking melodies and heartfelt lyrics. They created an emotional connection that set the perfect tone for the night. Each song flowed seamlessly from start to finish. It left everyone excited for what was to come after.

After Oh Rose’s exit, the excitement was palpable when Future Islands entered and took the stage. The band featured Gerrit Welmers (keyboards and programming), William Cashion (bass, acoustic, and electric guitars), Samuel T. Herring (lyrics and vocals) and Michael Lowry (percussion/drums). As Herring and his bandmates began performing “King of Sweden,” the crowd cheered loudly. They quickly got off their seats and pulled out their phones to capture the wonderful moment. The band played a mix of their biggest hits and fan favorites such as “Ran,” “For Sure,” “Walking Through That Door,” “The Thief,” and “Long Flight.” It had everyone dancing and singing along to the music. In each song, Herring’s performance was a whirlwind of passion. Keeping the energy up throughout the night, Welmers’ synthesizer, Cashion’s bass, and Lowry’s drums created a rich soundscape. The audience couldn’t look away when he moved and danced with passion and enthusiasm. His powerful vocals and expressive moves kept drawing them in like a magnet. It not only made every song feel personal, but impactful as well.

Along with Herring’s heartfelt delivery, the band’s catchy beats created a vibrant atmosphere. The lighting shifted every time with the music in the room, adding vigor and excitement. The interplay of darkness and vivid colors on stage reflected the emotions of each song, such as “A Song for Our Grandfathers.” The lighting softened when the song’s softer melody played. It created a beautiful, emotional moment as the audience swayed together. Herring took the time to connect with the crowd by sharing stories and expressing his gratitude. It deepened the connection between them and their fans.

Few memorable moments that fans will remember always and forever. One of them was when the female singer and member of Oh Rose performed with Herring on a song called “Shadows.” The second memorable moment was when after performing their 20th song (“Corner of My Eye”), Future Islands walked off the stage, mentioning that it was their “last” song of the night. Many fans would not want to leave at all. They kept cheering loudly. They stayed and waited for them to return, encouraging them to play again. Surprisingly, they showed up and started to play a few more songs. The other one was when they performed a song called “Vireo’s Eye,” in which all the Oh Rose band members entered and started to dance along to the music. It even had the crowd dancing to the music as well.

As the show wrapped up with “Little Dreamer,” the crowd’s cheers and applause were a real sign of their appreciation for the Future Islands to come and perform at the Shrine Auditorium. The band’s encore was met with such enthusiastic shouts. Thus, ending on a high note and making the night unforgettable to the fans in the crowd.

Overall, it was a great and memorable experience to watch Future Islands putting up an exciting and moving performance that captured the audience’s attention and hearts. It was a night that fans won’t soon forget easily. The blend of great music and emotional heartfelt moments made it special for everyone in the Shrine Auditorium. Even though September 18 was their last performance in Los Angeles, they’ll still be touring and performing around the U.S. It is not too late for fans to attend their shows.

Setlist – Future Islands:

1. King of Sweden
2. The Tower
3. A Dream of You and Me
4. Swept Inside
5. Ran
6. Plastic Beach
7. Peach
8. Balance
9. Give Me the Ghost Back
10. The Sickness
11. City’s Face
12. Walking Through That Door
13. Shadows (with Oh, Rose)
14. For Sure
15. The Thief
16. Glimpse
17. Say Goodbye
18. Seasons (Waiting on You)
19. Long Flight
20. Corner of My Eye
21. Inch of Dust
22. Tin Man
23. Vireo’s Eye
24. Little Dreamer