Islands

Canadian alt-rockers, Islands, still continue to release quality albums and put on breath-taking live performances. With Islands being an offshoot of the critically acclaimed, The Unicorns, and having close ties with fellow Montreal bands, Wolf Parade and Arcade Fire, one can expect great things at one of Islands’ live performances. Islands is fronted by lead singer and guitarist, Nicholas Thorburn, but the band also contains a typical rock band lineup, which includes drums, bass, and a keyboard player. Although due to Islands' intricate, orchestrated sounds, they have been known to tour with other musicians that play classical instruments such as the violin and bass clarinet. You might expect to hear these instruments if the band were to play their hit song, “Rough Gem”, which is a highly energetic and orchestrated song that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Islands is also known for the unique sonic soundscapes they are able to make with their synthesizers, often producing ocarina like sounds that you might expect to hear on a Zelda game.
Islands’ performances are very engaging to see live. When Nicholas is not playing his guitar he will take the microphone off the stand, strut around stage, and get wrapped up in the microphone chord while enthusiastically getting involved in his singing. Nicholas is also known to join their keyboardist on certain songs for a piano duet. Islands have recently been using two synthesizer players when performing live, increasing the sonic experience of the performances and conveying a stronger feeling of a dance vibe.
If you get the opportunity to catch Islands live you can expect to hear old classics like “Swans” as well as some songs off their new album they are supporting, Ski Mask. Islands are sure to put on a great performance and it just might build up to such a level of excitement that they lead the audience out of the venue “pied piper style” like they have been known to do in the past.

This was an amazing concert. The band played for about an hour and a half with a brief intermission. They were touring Taste/Should I Remain Here At Sea so probably about half the set was from those two records. Beyond that they played at least a song or two off of their other albums and the encore started with a bit of Prince (When U Were Mine) before diving into Rough Gem. 10/10, would see again.