Future Islands delivered an electrifying, sweat-drenched performance at the Liverpool Olympia on Saturday 28th June 2025, in what can only be described as a masterclass in live alternative performance. The sold-out Liverpool crowd filled the iconic venue wall-to-wall, brimming with anticipation that was met, and then some.
The night kicked off with a burst of energy from Scottish duo Sacred Paws, who fans of Future Islands may remember from their previous tour together in the UK. Guitarist Rachel Aggs brings vibrant, Afro-pop-inspired riffs, while Eilidh Rodgers supports with lively, propulsive drumming, both joined by harmonized, playful vocals. The pair originally played together in Golden Grrrls before forming this project, and their sound reflects that shared history: bright, dance-driven indie pop infused with a post-punk, tropical twist. Drawing from their early 6 Songs EP and both studio albums, Strike A Match, which packed raw punch, and the more layered Run Around The Sun, they got the Liverpool crowd warmed up exactly as they should.
Time for the main event, and for just under two hours, the Baltimore synthpop heroes Future Islands held the audience in a euphoric grip, tearing through a setlist 22 songs long that pulled from every corner of their discography. Lead singer Samuel T. Herring, always a force to behold, was on another level entirely. Equal parts poet, dancer, and primal force, he poured himself into every lyric, thumping his chest, contorting his face, and falling to his knees in a raw, physical display that felt like theatre, catharsis, and punk rock energy combined.
The band’s sound was as tight as ever. Gerrit Welmers’ shimmering synths carved out vast emotional space, while William Cashion’s basslines delivered irresistible grooves that pulsed through the Olympia’s historic rafters, Mike Lowry rounded out the whole performance on drums. Tracks from their latest album People Who Aren’t There Anymore slotted seamlessly alongside older fan favourites like Seasons (Waiting on You) and A Dream Of You And Me. Still going strong at almost 20 years of being together, the band’s chemistry was palpable, polished yet never sterile, emotive without ever tipping into melodrama. Every song was a crescendo, and every drop was met with rapture from the crowd. It wasn’t just a gig; it was an emotional release.
At the heart of Future Islands’ enduring appeal is their singular sound, a fusion of melancholic synthpop, driving new wave rhythms, and emotionally charged vocal delivery that feels both nostalgic and deeply present. Their latest album, People Who Aren’t There Anymore, released in 2024, continues to refine that formula with a mature, introspective lens. The record balances shimmering, melodic textures with darker emotional undercurrents, exploring themes of loss, transformation, and memory. Tracks like The Tower and Deep In The Night showcase the band’s ability to craft sonic landscapes that are at once intimate and expansive, while Herring’s voice—gravelly, guttural, and heartbreakingly honest—serves as the emotional compass. On stage, these songs gained new life, their layered synths and pulsating basslines crashing like waves against the steady drums, sweeping the crowd into Future Islands’ unique emotional tide. It’s a sound that feels timeless yet unmistakably theirs, proof that, a decade and a half in, they’re still evolving without losing the essence that makes them so magnetic.
Less than 24 hours later, the band ascended to the Park Stage at Glastonbury Festival, where they somehow matched, if not topped, their Liverpool energy. Playing to a sprawling hillside audience as the sun began to dip, Herring again commanded attention like a preacher at a tent revival, channeling the same intensity he brought to the more intimate Olympia. Though visibly fatigued, the band rode on adrenaline and the magic of Glastonbury itself, delivering a passionate, triumphant set that brought new fans into the fold and cemented their status as one of the most compelling live acts of our time. From the sweat-soaked walls of Liverpool to the open skies of Pilton, Future Islands reminded us why live music still matters. If you get the chance to see Future Islands next time they are on these shores, go—you won’t regret it!
Words and photos by Ben Whitehurst (Instagram)
