Local Natives

Local Natives took the stage at Fader Fort after a solid slate of set-up, looking to capitalize on a daytime crowd ravenous for catchy tunes. Unlike predecessors Neon Indian and Best Coast, Local Natives play songs that you can sing along to, well crafted pop lyrics thrown on top of straightforward melodies and hummable hooks. They took advantage of those song structures, built for a big stage and a buzzing crowd, and took their tunes to the next level in a live setting. Drawing from their impressive debut album Gorilla Manor, the band played a lively set, bouncing around the stage and switching between positions and instruments. The guitars played their role nicely, but it was the multi-facted percussion - only hinted at on the album - that stole the show on the Fort's stage. Grabbing an extra set of sticks and playing a floor tom, Kelcey Ayer interjected popping off-rhythms that allowed the tunes to really take off. I came into this set with high expectations and I left with a smile on my face.