Future Islands returns to ‘Letterman,’ dedicates a song to Baltimore

Close observers of David Letterman’s interactions with the musical guests on his late-night show no doubt remember his reaction last year to Future Islands, the Baltimore synth-pop outfit that more or less blew Letterman away with an earnestly wacky performance of its semi-hit “Seasons (Waiting on You).”

The host -- who’s winding down his 22 years at “Late Show” before retiring next month -- was no less effusive Tuesday night when he had Future Islands back to do a new song, “The Chase.”

“These guys were on the show a little over a year ago,” Letterman said in his introduction. “What a night that was -- what an exciting night. And we have been waiting for them to come back and be on the show again.”

Future Islands frontman Samuel T. Herring took advantage of the platform, announcing that the band was dedicating its performance to the people of its hometown, where riots have taken place this week in the wake of the death in police custody of 25-year-old Freddie Gray.

“Let us not discount their voices, or the voices of all the people in the cities that we live [in] and love,” Herring said.

When the group was finished, Letterman congratulated Herring and his mates and invited them to appear on “Late Show” yet again.

“I won’t be here,” he added, “but you’re welcome here any time.”

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