The stormy weather didn’t stop Local Natives fans from gathering at The Mill and Mine Monday night.
When I walked into the large, brick room, the floor was already filling as the opening act, Little Scream, played. Their atmospheric vibe seemed slightly bluesy, and set the tone for the night to come.
The crowd slowly grew as more people piled in closer in time for Local Native’s performance. Once Little Scream concluded, the lights came on, and I began surveying the audience. Judging by the amount of x’s on hands, most of the listeners were high school or college-aged students. The venue was also filled with hipsters in their mid 20s and the occasional dad; so basically everyone you would expect at an alternative indie rock concert. Everyone was dressed casual, and mingled among other fans before the main event.
After a brief intermission, the lights darkened once again, and the members of Local Natives took the stage after a long instrumental pause. The crowd immediately perked up and gathered toward the front. The floor was packed with fans singing every word and swaying to the music as soon as the intro song began.
The band started off with an energetic number from their newest album, “Sunlit Youth.” The music encompassed the room and created an overall feeling of enthusiasm and passion. Then, lead singer Taylor Rice stepped off the stage into the crowd, further exciting fans. Rice travelled through the hordes of people while a stage manager extended the mic out towards him.
Local Natives’ lively performance had them quickly taking off their shirts in an attempt to cool down, but luckily they kept the energy high. Throughout the rest of the show, they switched between pieces from “Sunlit Youth” and dusted off some old songs to entertain the crowd. Their latest single, “I Saw You Close Your Eyes,” had fans jumping and nodding to the sound reminiscent of fellow indie rock band, The Neighborhood.
In between songs, the band was conversational and personal with their fans. Rice talked about love at first sight, his love for his bandmates and love for his fans. The intimacy made the whole event feel laid-back and casual, just like seeing one of your friend’s bands play.
In addition, Local Native’s symphonic sound was simply beautiful and really resonated with the audience. The band exemplified sheer talent and love for their music, which also added to the positive vibes and genuineness of the show.
Overall, I enjoyed the variety of Local Natives’ music, and the mood they brought to the event. Everyone seemed intoxicated by the performance, wanting more even as the show came to a close.
Lead singer of Local Natives Taylor Rice rocks out during the concert at The Mill and Mine.
