If judged by the band’s recent appearance on Letterman, Samuel T. Herring of Baltimore’s Future Islands is an idiosyncratic and arresting entertainer worth seeing in person. With a sweet croon that quickly descends into a throaty growl, the front man steps from side to side and dips his knees as he tears at his shirt, pounds on his chest, or reaches out for unattainable solace. All the while, a bassist, keyboard player, and drummer lay down a head-nodding, synth-based groove. Thanks in part to that performance and Letterman’s ecstatic endorsement–“I’ll take all of that you got”–Future Islands are one of America’s hottest bands, most recently scoring the Grulke Prize for Developing U.S. Act at last week’s SXSW. Catch them Sunday night at the Southern where they are at the top of a bill that also includes Oh Hang & Ed Schrader’s Music Beat. It all gets going at 8pm.

Music alternative music Baltimore Charlottesville Downtown Mall Future Islands music Sunday The Southern