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Island at 7th Street
Island Setlist
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UK’s Island (stylized as ISLAND) stopped by the 7th Street Entry on Saturday, September 29th, touring in support of the group’s debut album Feels Like Air (Frenchkiss Records).
The show started with Dekam & Johnson, two best friends Noah DeKam and Logan Johnson. They are joined on stage by a cajón player Patrick Phalen (normally on drums?) and bassist Robbie Weisshaar.
Noah and Logan took turns on singing, but occasional singing in unison (“Hanging Around”). They sound like adult contemporary music, but lists Prince and Bruno Mars as some of their influences. I suppose their R&B influence might account for their Alicia Keys cover song “If I Ain't Got You”.
Originally Brooklyn/Florida duo The Blancos was supposed to open, but for whatever reason, they dropped out of the bill. DPLV filled in. The synthy/chillwave/EDM duo used a lot of pre-recorded samples and sound effects, which required them to stay in perfect timing/sync, and unfortunately they had to “re-do” and restarted on a few song (“Look Back” was started twice and “Take My Breath Away” had to be restarted). It was kind of sloppy, but I don’t think the guys cared and they were having a good time anyway.
During their set, they gave us some facts about themselves, that they were both middle children and skateboarding buddies.
The Top Gun song “Take My Breath Away” (performed by Berlin), was probably the highlight of the set.
Island came on stage to a dark atmospheric lighting (which remained consistently dark throughout the show). The London band features singer/guitarist Rollo Doherty, guitarist Jack Raeder, bassist James Wolfe, and drummer Toby Richards, and it’s their first time in America. We got to talk to the traveling crew and they told us that they weren’t used to the Minneapolis coldness (it’s September after all). They said, “I know it gets cold in London, but it’s not like here (Minneapolis)...” and continued to talk about how they were in Phoenix and that was extremely hot.
It’s a learning experience, and you can tell the rest of the band is very excited to be in such a foreign country to them. In fact, singer Rollo Doherty, introducing the song “I’ve Been Searching”, tried to blend in as an American and started using phrases he thinks Americans would say: “We’re going old school on your asses! ... Do you guys say things like that?”
In typical debut album tour, the band would play practically every song (or most songs) off their debut album, and it’s no different for Island. Except in their case, they actually released a few EPs pre-album, including A Place You Like and Girl.
The biggest challenge for Island isn’t about gaining new fans, because there’s certainly a group that were really into this new band and were praising the UK band’s music. The biggest challenge is that their name is has already been used by numerous other bands/musicians: Swiss progressive group Island, Eurovision (Cyprus)'s Island, German metal band Island, Chicago’s jazz/psychedelic rock band Island, Island Records, and Canada’s Islands. I guess it’s like that old paraphrase, no band is an island...
Tour dates:
The show started with Dekam & Johnson, two best friends Noah DeKam and Logan Johnson. They are joined on stage by a cajón player Patrick Phalen (normally on drums?) and bassist Robbie Weisshaar.
Noah and Logan took turns on singing, but occasional singing in unison (“Hanging Around”). They sound like adult contemporary music, but lists Prince and Bruno Mars as some of their influences. I suppose their R&B influence might account for their Alicia Keys cover song “If I Ain't Got You”.
Originally Brooklyn/Florida duo The Blancos was supposed to open, but for whatever reason, they dropped out of the bill. DPLV filled in. The synthy/chillwave/EDM duo used a lot of pre-recorded samples and sound effects, which required them to stay in perfect timing/sync, and unfortunately they had to “re-do” and restarted on a few song (“Look Back” was started twice and “Take My Breath Away” had to be restarted). It was kind of sloppy, but I don’t think the guys cared and they were having a good time anyway.
During their set, they gave us some facts about themselves, that they were both middle children and skateboarding buddies.
The Top Gun song “Take My Breath Away” (performed by Berlin), was probably the highlight of the set.
Island came on stage to a dark atmospheric lighting (which remained consistently dark throughout the show). The London band features singer/guitarist Rollo Doherty, guitarist Jack Raeder, bassist James Wolfe, and drummer Toby Richards, and it’s their first time in America. We got to talk to the traveling crew and they told us that they weren’t used to the Minneapolis coldness (it’s September after all). They said, “I know it gets cold in London, but it’s not like here (Minneapolis)...” and continued to talk about how they were in Phoenix and that was extremely hot.
It’s a learning experience, and you can tell the rest of the band is very excited to be in such a foreign country to them. In fact, singer Rollo Doherty, introducing the song “I’ve Been Searching”, tried to blend in as an American and started using phrases he thinks Americans would say: “We’re going old school on your asses! ... Do you guys say things like that?”
In typical debut album tour, the band would play practically every song (or most songs) off their debut album, and it’s no different for Island. Except in their case, they actually released a few EPs pre-album, including A Place You Like and Girl.
The biggest challenge for Island isn’t about gaining new fans, because there’s certainly a group that were really into this new band and were praising the UK band’s music. The biggest challenge is that their name is has already been used by numerous other bands/musicians: Swiss progressive group Island, Eurovision (Cyprus)'s Island, German metal band Island, Chicago’s jazz/psychedelic rock band Island, Island Records, and Canada’s Islands. I guess it’s like that old paraphrase, no band is an island...
Tour dates:
10/01 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
10/02 - Columbus, OH - Basement
10/04 - Boston, MA - Great Scott
10/05 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd
10/06 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby's All Right
10/02 - Columbus, OH - Basement
10/04 - Boston, MA - Great Scott
10/05 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd
10/06 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby's All Right
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Island at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (29 Sep 2018) |
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