Popscene's 21st B-Day Celebration Night 1 with Local Natives 4/28/2016

Popscene, San Francisco's Premier Indie Nightclub, celebrated their 21st anniversary with two nights in a row of music on April 28th and 29th! Even though it was only announced two days before the show that the LA based band Local Natives would be headlining, they ended up playing to packed house!

Local Natives at Popscene 4/28/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

MUNA got the party started with their 90's inspired moody indie tunes, including songs off their (then) forthcoming EP, The Loudspeaker (available now). Their lively stage presence and amped banter got the crowd even more pumped than they already were. Chatting transitioned into clapping when the music over the sound system, spun by co-founder DJ Aaron Axelsen,  seized and the five members of Local Natives walked on stage. Saying thanks as they got situated, they kicked things off quick and mellow, allowing the crowd to get to their level. Energy on the dance floor continued to sizzle while drum driven, guitar layered mellow dramatic indie-rock engulfed the venue from the shadows of the small stage. 

Local Natives at Popscene 4/28/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

The afro-pop induced guitar riffs sweetly accentuated the chill vibe of their songs from both albums that filled their set. The triple harmonization of Rice, Ayer and Hahn brightened up the psych-folk sound, tickling your ear drums in a sweetly mesmerizing way.  

They spiced up original versions of some songs with instrumental spins, impromptu solos and pseudo-jams which is always cool when bands do that and are able to pull it off live. Front man Taylor Rice was as charming as he was engaging as he hopped from his guitar and keyboard, making the already intimate show that much more personable. 

Local Natives at Popscene 4/28/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

The celebration didn't stop there! On Friday night Popscene went old school, throwing a dance party with special guest DJ, Michael Deni of Geographer (a local band but not a SF native)! What better way to celebrate a night club that has brought this diverse city together with good live shows than with two nights of great music?! Thank you Popscene! Cheers to another 21 years of fun nights filled great new music!