I was so floored by Future Islands performance on Wednesday that I dedicated a post exclusively to the show rather than doing a recap and discussing openers. However, I was also thoroughly impressed with the openers, such that they, too, warrant words of their own. I haven’t seen Knifight since they’ve recruited a drummer. The band tells me that’s been two years, but I can’t quite believe it has been that long. In any case, Knifight has improved impressively and currently deliver a knockout live performance. The intense beats go a long way to make the set powerful, but frontman John Gable’s austere vocals and tight little jolts of dance moves aid as well.
Future Islands other opener was Baltimore’s Ed Shreader’s Music Beat–a bassist and a guy, Ed, playing a floor tom and screaming, or crooning, into the microphone. The set recalled the simplicity of Beat Happening while the vocals are something like Nick Cave mixed with modern Danish punk band Iceage. This recipe made for a somewhat surreal and inaccessible but ultimately fascinating performance. To read about the incredible set that followed, one of the best I’ve ever seen, click here.
All photos & copy; Bryan Parker & Pop Press International. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
