Local Natives at 400 Bar, Minneapolis (5/17/10)

I’ve only recently discovered Local Natives via Fleet Foxes radio library on last.fm, which is, if you aren’t already familiar with last.fm, an online record keeper of what you play on your iTunes (www.last.fm/about). Actually, no. I take that back. I first heard “Warning Sign” on Minneapolis’ local radio station The Current but never caught the name of the band. I allowed myself to just confuse them with Fleet Foxes or assumed that they were some side project of J. Tillman. But, no – these are L.A. boys and these L.A. boys know how to rock. But first, let’s discuss the opening band Suckers. A 4-man band from Brooklyn, New York with influences from across the board. I initially thought they sounded like The Killers but then was surprised to hear influences of Mt. Eerie (Phil Elverum) in their drumming. I was skeptical at first when I saw the frontman of the band walk around with some questionable bling around his neck. Turns out the bling didn’t influence their music much, just added sparkle to the small stage the 400 Bar. Enough about visual aesthetics, though. Suckers put on an entertaining show and they were hot. Literally. It was a sold out show and the air condition wasn’t working. The stage was a hot plate ready for Fleet Foxes, uh, I mean, Local Natives.

The crowd was pumped once Suckers ended their set. For an 18+ show, I didn’t see many 18-year olds. Or maybe they were 18-year olds with a fake I.D. and thought PBR was the best beer they’ve ever had next to Premium Grainbelt. As for me, I was fishing for ice in my glass of Hendrick’s & Tonic. It was uncomfortably hot and everyone’s sweat was rubbing on me.

I forgot about the heat once Local Natives hopped on stage to tune their guitars and test their mics. I was front stage and center by their feet, completely enamored by Taylor Rice’s ‘stache and Ryan Hahn’s pretty eyes. I was totally crushing on them and their music. They rocked so hard that Ryan Hahn accidentally tore off the poorly applied foam from the wall. At one point, the power shut off on stage when the bar decided to turn on the AC. As a time waster, Kelcey Rice started to tell a joke that was so stupid, it was funny. Aside from stage theatrics, their performance was solid. Sun Hands, Cards & Quarters and Wide Eyes were my favorite performances by them that night, not to mention my favorite songs off of Gorilla Manor. It was nice to see that Taylor, Kelcey and Ryan switched off between playing keys and guitar. I’m seriously glad I got to see Local Natives perform in Minneapolis. I overheard in the crowd that they had opened up for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and sad I had missed that. Next time they come back, we need to provide them with a bigger venue and some AC, for reals. Local Natives are the bees knees.