Local Natives’ Spiral Choir tour stopped by Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater (my favorite venue if you didn’t already know) on Saturday, June 15. After a remarkable performance by their opener Middle Kids (read all about their set here), the band mystically glided on the dark stage while fog and strobe lights crept in the back.
From Los Angeles, California, Local Natives is currently comprised of Taylor Rice (vocals, guitar), Kelcey Ayer (vocals, keyboards, percussion, guitar), Ryan Hahn (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Matt Frazier (drums), and Nik Ewing (bass, keyboards, vocals). Since their formation in 2008, Local Natives has been dishing out tunes that have climbed up the charts – at this point, they’re considered an indie-rock staple.
You can always tell how a concert is going to go by that first punch of music rising through the air, that first blast of flood lights filling the stage. Local Natives’ launched their set with a music and light show that fully immersed us into the Spiral Choir, melodies and riffs in perfect sync with the illuminations beaming through the sky.
I’ve been a fan of Local Natives for years, and I’m almost embarrassed to say that this was my first time to see them live. Needless to say though, it was everything I could have ever hoped for and more. Just two songs in, Taylor leaped into a sea of fans and swam through the cheers gracefully, not even missing the slightest beat. Accompanied by co-vocalist Kelsey, the two fashioned the most incredible harmonies that will haunt my ears forever (in the best way, of course).
Song in the full setlist included the following (those with links are my personal favorites):
- Vogue
- Sun Hands
- You & I
- Café Amarillo
- Ceilings
- I Saw You Close Your Eyes
- Coins
- Megaton Mile
- Someday Now
- Heavy Feet
- Fountain of Youth
- Airplanes
- Wide Eyes
- Gulf Shores
- Garden of Elysian
- Dark Days
- When Am I Gonna Lose You
Encore:
- Shy
- Tap Dancer
- Who Knows, Who Cares
For more information on Local Natives and where to catch them next, visit https://www.thelocalnatives.com/, and be sure to follow our other music shenanigans around Austin here!
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Leigh is a native Texan gone temporary New Yorker and now proud Austinite. Passions include but are not limited to music (both as a spectator and dabbler), traveling & cultural adventures, film & television, true crime, design (of the fashion, interior, and graphic sorts), and photographing & writing about all the aforementioned. Self-acclaimed coffee connoisseur & wino, cat aficionado, book worm, and nature junkie.