South Facing Festival Features Future Islands at Crystal Palace
- by Adam Bailey
- in Latest
The South Facing Festival eagerly welcomes the renowned American synth-pop ensemble, Future Islands, to the enchanting Crystal Palace stage this upcoming Summer. Joining the Baltimore quartet on this musical journey will be the talented Baxter Dury and Julie Byrne.
This highly anticipated event in London unfolds in the wake of Future Islands' seventh album release, the widely acclaimed 'People Who Aren't There Anymore,' hailed by the Guardian as a 'brutal, beautiful breakup album.' Since their inception, Future Islands has maintained a distinctive and instantly recognizable sound, with Samuel T. Herring's weathered vocals illuminated by Gerrit Welmers' melodies and energized by the rhythmic prowess of William Cashion and Michael Lowry. While the core essence remains unchanged on 'People Who Aren't There Anymore,' the subjects have evolved, revealing a poignant blend of pain and joy in Herring's voice, previously only matched by their legendary live performances and now unfurled for the first time in a studio album.
Having played nearly 1,500 stages, Future Islands' performances have left indelible marks on bodies and vocal cords, offering solace to audiences and therapeutic relief to their messengers. 'People Who Aren't There Anymore' signifies a pivotal moment for the band, marking an exploration of novel ways to navigate the world as they break free from the constraints of the old. This newfound freedom culminates in their most fully realized and transparently honest statement over their 17-year journey as a band.
The South Facing Festival unfolds as a multi-day, open-air extravaganza set against the historically significant backdrop of the Crystal Palace Bowl. The venue, steeped in musical history, has hosted iconic acts like Elton John, Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, The Pixies, and Bob Marley, whose last-ever London show in June 1980 is commemorated by a blue plaque on the affectionately nicknamed "rusty laptop" stage.
Debuting in 2021, the South Facing Festival is committed to minimizing its environmental impact. Collaborating with local partners, the festival sets high sustainability standards for everything from audience experience and travel to the use of recyclable and compostable products. Attendees can indulge in a diverse range of top-notch street food and beverages, and the festival is easily accessible from London and the entire South East through various train and bus routes, including Crystal Palace (TfL Overground and National Rail), Penge West (TfL Overground and National Rail), and Gipsy Hill (National Rail).
In its inaugural year, the festival featured headline performances by Dizzee Rascal, Supergrass, Sleaford Mods, Max Richter, and The English National Opera. Over the years, the stage has welcomed artists such as London Grammar, Richard Ashcroft, Becky Hill, Bombay Bicycle Club, Jungle, Craig David, James, Rudimental, and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Stay tuned for more exciting concert announcements from South Facing as they continue to unveil the musical treasures awaiting festival-goers.
Visit: https://southfacingfestival.com/
