South Facing Festival – Future Islands | Baxter Dury
Crystal Palace Bowl, London
27th July 2024
Future Islands and Baxter Dury take over the South Facing Festival and fill the Crystal Palace Bowl with vibrant energy and eclectic artistry. Paul Grace takes the photos.
The setting – Crystal Palace Bowl – is a picturesque and historic outdoor venue perfect for a summer concert. Its shape forms a natural amphitheatre which offers great acoustics throughout and the festival has a boutique feel due to its intimate size.
Baxter Dury’s set is a masterclass in effortless cool. Over 45 minutes, the self-proclaimed “posh and unwashed budget nepo-baby” shares tales of urban life and deep introspection. A vision of avant-garde-just-fallen-out-of-bed chic, his vocal, both gravelly and melodic, grips the crowd while his backing band provides a flawless soundtrack of up front indie-tronica. But it’s Dury’s moves that are the real spectacle – a curious mix of martial arts and rock’n’roll swagger that ensure everyone’s eyes remain fixed on the singer throughout.
As the sun sets, Future Islands take to the stage and deliver a show that proves they’re 100% worthy headliners. And then some. Frontman Samuel T. Herring bounces onto stage, beaming with positivity, and the vibe is well and truly set. A visible force of nature, Herring’s presence is electrifying throughout the two-hour show. His distinctive, soulful voice, combined with theatrical and injury-defying dance moves, keep us hypnotised while Gerrit Welmers’ synth-driven sound, layered with William Cashion’s pulsing basslines and Michael Lowry’s crisp percussion, fills the bowl with an intensity that is nostalgic but undeniably contemporary.
Seasons (Waiting on You) and Ran become summer anthems in the open air while Herring’s radiant but humble chatter brings the crowd and band together perfectly.
In all, it’s another top night at South Facing. Check out what they have scheduled for the rest of the year via the links below.
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All photos and words © Paul Grace. For more of Paul’s writing and photos go to his archive. Paul is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and his websites are www.paulgrace-eventphotos.co.uk & www.pgrace.co.uk.
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