The Verse’s Nanette Hewitt reviews Native People’s show at Brighton’s Komedia on the 15th November.
The Komedia’s Studio was an idyllic setting on this November night with low lights and a mirror ball raring for an atmospheric but intimate gig.
KIN and Episodes both took to the stage first as supporting bands, complementing Native People with their equally youthful and modern sounds. However, each offered highly diverse styles leading to an evening of multi-dimensional musical privilege. KIN were full of spirit and created a spine-tingling ambience, embodied by excellent guitar playing and riotous drums driven by profound vocals. Then came Episodes who were effortlessly authentic with a funk sentiment; local band well-worth a listen with intoxicating vocals from frontwoman Alana.
Finally, Native People confidently ascended the Brighton stage as part of their debut headline tour. During the set lead-singer Reuben Todd asked the audience, “Did you all come with your best-friend tonight?” conveyed with a genuine, heart-warming sense of familiarity with many of the bands own friends/relatives in attendance. They had a certain charm and as they performed you could tell they were enjoying their moment in the spotlight.
When I had listened to Native People’s tracks previously I thought they had a summer-y kind of sound. Live, they were a paradisiacal solstice – especially when they played Call Me which I personally felt was the peak of their performance; envision heat and waves cascading in a musically emblematic rebellion. Figure It Out, their new release contrasted to previous singles with more of an R&B edge and depth. They also covered Gorgon City’s Ready for Your Love which was spun and captured in their own chromatic sound. They were unified and extremely engaging on stage. Don’t Save Me (previously named track of the day by BBC Introducing) came at the end of the set and was the perfect conclusion to a great evening.
Native People continue their tour around the UK. Expect to hear great things from the promising Folkestone quartet in the future.
