BY JACK CARNELL
“Crazy” was how the Native Braves described their last year as a band. A change in members, a bunch of new songs and a lot of hard work resulted in a fantastic performance at the Engine Shed in Lincoln, as they supported Scottish Synth-pop group, Prides.
Off the back of a hectic week in the studio for BBC Introducing Humberside, and their live set in Sheffield, the Native Braves returned to their local roots as they played out to an enthusiastic and immersed crowd.
Parisian Youth Culture got the night underway with a number of lively songs that got an eager crowd warmed up, but it was the Native Braves, when the quintet took the stage, that really got the crowd going. Lead singer Alex started the show off with confidence, and that confidence grew as the set went on.
A packed audience had gathered as they anticipated an established Scottish outfit, as well as some up and coming local blood, who clearly enjoy what they do. You could see from the Lincolnshire band’s enthusiasm, it was about the music first and foremost.
It was clear that people were there to see the Lincolnshire Indie alt-rock band as much as they were there to see the headliners, the band that performed their latest creation, “Messiah,” in front of a packed out Hampden Park Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Prides.
The Native Braves are part of a newly regenerated Indie revival, something they describe as getting better and better. They played a 30 minute set of songs that sounded perfect for the setting of a live venue, such as the Engine Shed. The Native Braves quickly got the crowd engaged with a number of tracks, before lead vocalist Alex put down his guitar, and solely focused on his vocals, entrusting Ben, Joel, James and Paul to provide the atmospheric sounds that engulfed the venue.
“Blood Orange” and a personal favourite in “Self Assemble”, a song in which they have had “a huge response from,” were the platform in which the set grew upon. It is clear that they have tried to be a bit different and original in their sound, and it worked. The set was solely focused on the music and ensuring everyone had a good time.
“Pilot Light” and “Into the Darkness” concluded their evening, but by this time the audience were immersed in what they had offered. They are clearly a band who could have headlined the venue themselves.
Speaking to them after the set, you could tell the confidence was there and the adrenaline was still apparent. Plans are still being made to further progress what has already been an incredible start to the year for the Lincolnshire band. Every band member has the passion and the drive to continue what they are doing. A fantastic evening to start what will be a fantastic year for the Native Braves.
The headliners Prides took full advantage of the crowd created for them by their two predecessors. Fans favourite “Out of the Blue”, recognisable from the FIFA 15 soundtrack and “Messiah” sounded like they had a number of hits on their hands. They concluded the evening with a pleasant surprise medley of songs, which they described as their favourite songs of 2014. A tireless trio rattled through a number songs, including Lincolnshire Ella Henderson’s “Ghost,” seemingly fitting for a Lincoln crowd. Last year was an incredible time for them, the highlight surely being playing in front of a packed out crowd in their home country. Expect big things from Prides as they are only going to get bigger and better.