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Live Review: Future Islands - The Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 14 June 2018

19/6/2018

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"We last played Edinburgh in 2009 to about 20 people" exclaims Future Islands frontman Sam Herring to a packed out Usher Hall. An hour or so later, and it's clear to see how the Baltimore band have amassed such a devoted fan base in such a short period of time.

Herring commands the stage authoritatively, with an air not unlike your old friend from school's charming yet unnervingly eccentric dad. His performance is one of crystalline vocals contrasted with feral grunts, nimble dance moves performed with increasing alacrity, and engaging chat always tinged with a disarming graciousness and humility.

His disproportionately fleet-footed adventures around the stage include a cossack dance, a more than passable impression of Shakira, and what can only be described as a waterless slip 'n' slide. These exuberant moves are at odds with the totemic figures of Gerrit Welmers and William Cashion, who provide a beautifully layered soundscape onto which Herring paints his lyrical pictures.

​Touring drummer Michael Lowry provides a potent yet restrained drive to proceedings with his efficient beats.

Early highlight 'A Dream of You and Me' is preceded by a slight setlist miscommunication, as Sam introduces it, yet quickly retracts this apologetically and the band launch into another robust synthpop gem, 'Ran'.

This track along with several others from the band's stellar 2017 album The Far Field form the spine of the show, and provide pomp in spades. This alternates with more meditative tracks from their catalogue peppered throughout, although the pace builds with gradual and definite intention.

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Review: Young Fathers - Leith Theatre, Hidden Door Arts Festival, Edinburgh, 2 June 2018

3/6/2018

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Photo: Sam Johnson
“Save Leith Walk,” says Graham Hastings of Young Fathers, from the stage of Hidden Door.

The sold out Leith Theatre roars like it’s probably not done since AC/DC graced the stage in 1976 at the sound of the campaign name so close to the hearts of so many in Leith, trying to fend off the gentrification of the area, and in particular the controversial £50m development which would unhouse many current tenants, including music venue Leith Depot.

Kayus Bankole bounds across the stage flashing a cheeky grin to the crowd and his bandmates. Alloysious Massaquoi stands steely, ready to wow the crowd once more.

Hidden Door renovated the formerly abandoned, breathtaking old Leith Theatre for their music, spoken word, theatre, dance and arts festival last year, and they’ve been reaping the benefits ever since. So has the local community and arts scene.

The venue hosted Anna Meredith, Idlewild, Kathryn Joseph and more for Hidden Door in 2017. Cabaret Voltaire regulars Fly Club brought a New Year’s Eve party to the venue. And for 2018, Hidden Door were back - as well as renovating and taking over the State Cinema, due for demolition across the road, for one last hurrah. This year the likes of Sylvan Esso and Submotion Orchestra had already headlined the main stage of the theatre earlier in the preceding days.

But if there was ever to be an Edinburgh moment, it was to be Young Fathers, the Leith locals and experimental, Mercury-Award winning trio who sold out the theatre months in advance.

People were draped over the balconies on all sides, looking down on the stage and the packed out dance floor, which was just as it should have been - a pit of sweat and dancing, with ticket holders competing for the best views of the local heros. The view of the rest of the theatre, from both the floor and we imagine the balconies, was a sight to behold as well.

To say Young Fathers have been a revelation on the Scottish music scene (and beyond) seems a notable understatement. For Edinburgh to have produced a group of such widely-acclaimed talent, and in a field like hip hop, is a huge source of pride for a city too-often accused with lacking a music or arts scene. This latter point is also something the very existence of Hidden Door, with its exceptional variety of performers, works to disprove.

Young Fathers latest and third studio album Cocoa Sugar received five stars from the Guardian - and much more importantly, it’s original, it’s unique, and it’s infinitely listenable.

The group open with ‘Wire’ from the new record. A frantic mix of drums and keys. The wonderfully Scottish opening line screams: “oh you fucker I can dance”, and the Leith crowd are up for the task.

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