Live Review: The Native - Sneaky Petes, Edinburgh 08/12/2022
A celebration of their hugely successful year, The Native swing by Edinburgh for the first time as part of their massive tour all over the UK.
2022 has been a monumental year for The Native and while we are nearing the end of December, these guys are determined to end on a high with their biggest UK tour to date. From touring with Bastille to taking to the iconic RANDL stage, they show no signs of slowing down for Christmas as they headline their first show in Scotland’s capital city. With a crowd of dedicated followers and a smattering of megafans at the very front, its anyone’s guess why these guys haven’t made the journey sooner.
As if going on first wasn’t daunting enough, for opening support band Embassy this performance is their debut after taking a bit of a break and starting afresh. Not ones to waste an opportunity, these guys take no time to get the crowd going. Their set is a short, snappy but stirring taste of more music to come, giving the audience a glimpse of the big plans they have for the new year. Full of talent, these lads show that they’re back, better than ever and eager to hit the ground running in 2023.
Next to the stage were Sterling Press, 4 piece from London who have recently been calling Liverpool home. They’ve had quite the year too after playing support for the Spires and are gearing up for a headline show at the Liverpool Academy 3 in the new year. Frontman and lead vocalist Marlon is full of charisma and exudes a cheeky confidence that really engages with the audience. Their stuff is incredibly youthful, full of catchy bass lines and tongue-in-cheek lyricism. Special mention has to go to Ed who headed up the rhythm guitar section in ‘Joyride’. Creating distortion and adding subtlety and layers to their sound, he played with a really cool percussive technique and showed off the different things you can do with a guitar to create light and shade. ‘What Would You Do’ was another highlight, allowing lead guitarist Greg and drummer Lucien to really show off whilst the lights above them darted between red and blue. Warming up the stage for the Native was by no means an easy feat but these guys took to the challenge with an energy and passion that lit up the room and with an effortlessness they put the crowds in the best possible mood. Cementing themselves as ones to watch, they explained to me later on in the night that they already have plans to return and have so much excitement for what the new year has to offer. The crowd are overjoyed and excited as the Native do a quick sound check and get all 6 of their guitars plugged in and ready. Each of the five guys gets a little whoop as they jump on stage, some fans whispering amongst themselves about things to shout out or throw. There anticipation in the room is palpable.
No need for introductions, they open with ‘Blindside’, the first single from their summer EP ‘Looking Back’. It's a big crowd pleaser and people are singing along from the opening chord. Their sound and blend is stronger than ever, you’d never have known they were so far into the tour. The vocals in particular are fantastic, Charlie and Harry both have stunning tone and a resonance which gives so much sincerity to what they’re saying. Their voices blend together seamlessly and their choices of harmonies really accent the melody line. In ‘All or Nothing’, Charlie shows off more of his range, singing with loads of support and strength but also with a real genuine vulnerability. The pair are fantastic musicians too, Harry in particular alternating between catchy synth lines and more classical piano sections with ease.
‘Looking Back’ and ‘Changes’ feel like they’ve been hand-picked out of the soundtrack to a coming-of-age movie. These tracks give loads of insight into growing up and adolescence, something central to this band. Having met at school in Plymouth, these guys have been through a lot together. Reminiscent, reflective and full of heart, its a real gift to get this perspective into their relationship and experiences as a band. Their lyricism is stunning, ‘I know the world is tired’ lifted from ‘Changes’ was a particularly powerful line which stuck out. Throughout the set they are full of gratitude, always amazed that the audience are singing along and expressing thanks after every single song.
‘20 Something’ is clearly a favourite of drummer Fergus who has the biggest grin throughout. His playing is brilliant and he knows it; his musicality, expression and ability to build up towards the chorus is nothing short of sensational. Its so fun to watch him and bassist Tom together, the pair head up the rhythm section brilliantly and their little exchanges show just how in sync they truly are. ‘Adore Me’ is another highlight, largely because the chemistry between guitarists Ben and Charlie lights up the stage. Ben’s solo line here is also fantastic.
Always eager to tease the crowd, Charlie announces ‘With Every Last Goodbye’, a track which hasn’t actually come out yet. The crowd are overjoyed to get the Scottish premiere of the song and it goes down a treat. The guys demonstrate again just how well they can write a bridge; this one builds up so well and the vulnerability and emotion they portray is real enough to reach out and touch. They’re purposely loose-lipped with the details of when a release can be expected, saying only to keep an eye on things in the new year. They close the set with ‘Time’, a personal favourite which feels the perfect way to finish the night.
Everyone is keen to chat to the guys afterwards and it's so nice to watch as they take time to personally thank every single fan. Despite the early set off for Newcastle in the morning, they are keen to hang around to sign records, take photos and just get to know the people who have come along. All of the guys from all the bands are genuinely warm and sweet, cracking jokes and making everyone feel like they’re part of the big family. They keep saying how much they have loved being in Scotland and how much fun they have had whilst here, even if only for a day or two. Harry tells me they’re stoked for the rest of the tour but also are eagerly awaiting the England game at the weekend, something which gets a few giggles and comments from the Scottish fans. As their tour comes to an end in the next week, they promise it will be no time till they’re back again.
Words by Kirsty-Ann Thomson
