The Native finished up their first headline tour on Saturday evening at The Joiners in Southampton. The tour was originally schedule for March of this year but the band had the amazing opportunity to increase their profile by going out and supporting Bastille on their UK Tour.
During the day I had been at Golden Touch Festival at the Wedgewood Rooms put on by local hero Billy Fitz and weirdly enough the first time I had seen The Native was at the festival last year. Tonight’s gig was also being put on by Fitz Promotions and it was great to be seeing The Native in such a small, intimate venue.
One thing that had stood out for me when seeing The Native last time out is how tight they were as a band with a sound that felt like they had been on the circuit for many years. This has been acknowledged this year when they signed a record deal with rock ‘n’ roll tastemakers This Feeling Records.
‘Blindside’ and ‘Call Me Out’ are two tunes worthy of starting any gig and set the tone with their pounding drums, pulsating riffs and soaring vocals. Standout tune and latest single ‘Changes’ is placed two thirds of the way through the set, this song has been on heavy rotation on my playlists since its release. This proceeds ‘If Not Now, Then When’ a song to which lead singer Charlie performs on his own with his electric guitar, he reveals beforehand that the band had given him the support to play this tune as he usually quite nervous in doing so. It’s hard to believe any nerves were present given the nature in which it is performed. Charlie’s vocals throughout the gig are exemplary and in parts remind me of Ben Howard.
Charlie and the rest of the band were very appreciative of people turning out for the gig tonight, ‘when we announced our first headline tour, we really didn’t expect anyone to turn out as they have done’. Two of my favourite numbers ‘Adore Me’ and ‘Time’ close out the set and are a fine way to finish the evening.
Now that their headline tour has finished the band move swiftly into the festival season beginning with an appearance at this weekend’s Isle of Wight Festival. You can find The Native playing on This Feeling Stage at 9.35pm on Thursday 16th – a good excuse to check them out before the main stages open and to see them before they move on to bigger things!
Further dates include Truck Festival, Leopalloza and Y Not Festival in July with a new EP to follow soon as well!
