Front Gate Tickets Blog

Live Review: Local Natives Austin, TX at Antone’s 4-23-10

Local Natives returned to Austin Friday night after blowing up SXSW this year. I had heard a bit about the band before SXSW, but they gained a lot of momentum over the week, playing something like nine shows and wowing the crowds lucky enough to catch them. I was not able to see them then, but thanks to a friend was able to get a ticket to their sold out show at Antone’s (moved from Emo’s due to overwhelming demand), and to say the least, I was not disappointed. They even made a point of thanking everyone for coming out and that the show was the largest show on their entire tour.

The band’s album, Gorilla Manor, made its European debut in November 2009 to little fanfare in the US, but since its February US release the band has seen a surge in popularity, particularly in Austin, TX. Local Natives has garnered accolades for their ever-present harmonies and songwriting skills that saturate their music. Their singing abilities and superb instrumental talent were very prevalent on this evening at Antone’s, with the musicians switching amongst instruments frequently and seamlessly throughout the set.

Each song was well-received by the packed house, but one track stood out from the rest – “Sun Hands,” an emotionally charged and heartfelt song that had everyone in attendance belting out the chorus.  Even after the band had exhausted their catalog of music and left the stage, much of the crowd stood in place, yearning for just one more song. We will all have to wait a bit longer, but from the sound of the band and the love of the fans, I would imagine that there will be more to come quite soon. I, for one, can’t wait.

Listen to “Sun Hands” and “Camera Talk,” a couple of my favorite tracks of Gorilla Manor below!

[audio:http://www.frontgatetickets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Local-Natives_03_Sun-Hands.mp3|titles=Sun Hands by Local Natives]
[audio:http://www.frontgatetickets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Local-Natives_06_Camera-Talk.mp3|titles=Camera Talk by Local Natives]

Cheers.