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By:Lara Kinne

Baltimore’s Future Islands are North Carolina boys at heart. They recorded their latest, On the Water, in 2011 while residing at a waterfront space in Elizabeth City, N.C. and it shows in their fluid synth-driven tunes. Vocalist Samuel T. Herring brought a theatrical presence to the Headliners stage last Thursday night, who channeled the melodramatic spirit of Morrissey and adhered to Future Islands’ thick, dance sound. The guitarless trio, composed of Gerrit Welmers on synth, William Cashion on bass and vocals by Herring, bestowed an intimate show for those seeking to catch a groove. The majority turn out just so happened to sport several pairs of black-rimmed specs. Herring’s aggressive dance moves and dynamic vocal showmanship proved to be an engaging spectacle, bringing life to his otherwise subdued tone on studio takes.