Thursday 16/07/09 Local Natives @ The Borderline, London

It may be several thousand miles back to their base in Silver Lake, US, but Local Natives seem at home tonight performing on London’s Borderline stage. Their success at SXSW earlier this year and comparisons with Fleet Foxes, Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend meant that expectations were already raised for the Californian quintet’s live show, despite tonight’s gig being their third London show in a week that marked their live debut on UK soil.

In 'Airplanes' and 'Stranger Things', a collective vibe emerges, as created by the three singers, Ryan Hahn, Taylor Rice and Kelcey Ayer. With no obvious front-man it’s a combined lead-effort as their vocals control the songs like instruments, sometimes in unison as one grand voice, other times as interlacing harmonies, in a dawn chorus of sorts.

Stomping their feet, swinging their guitars back and forth, and dancing and swaying to tribal drum beats- there’s clearly a hunger present among the members of the band as they take delight in the performance. In what appears like a musical game of show-off, they switch instruments with each song. Bassist Andy Hamm also plays keyboard, synth and additional drum beats, as do singers and guitarists Ryan and Kelcey, in fact, the only member of the band that stays rooted to one spot is drummer, Matt Frazier but then he’s rarely still.

The vocals are out in force as a melancholic mood transforms the room during an intoxicating rendition of Warning Signs by Talking Heads. The melodies and harmonies only build further with current single 'Sun Hands', as Local Natives’ warm sounds struggle to stay confined within the walls of this venue, evoking images of a camp-fire setting somewhere in the dusty wilderness, far away from the wet urban city that’s waiting outside.

Judging by tonight's thrilling performance, Local Natives are destined for great things. For now, we'll await their return to British shores fervently.