LOCAL NATIVES are an indie rock band from Los Angeles who create music that combines afropopinfluenced guitars with hyperactive drumming and hooky three-part harmonies.

As soon as they graced the stage of the Academy, their soaring, sky-scraping harmonies, dreamy orchestral melodies and throbbing tribal beats bashed their way into the venue and into your soul. Their songs are music you can relate and swoon to and, on the other hand, party hard to.

The five-piece play a set featuring many tracks from debut album Gorilla Manor, including favourites Wide Eyes, Sun Hands and the bouncy, pounding single Airplanes.

Most songs are likeable and well constructed, with dips and dives and shifts of tempo, but they generally build towards an indie-orchestral climax with heavily accentuated percussion which the audience lap up.

Local Natives have the rhythmic lightness of Vampire Weekend with the hippiebarbershop harmonies of Fleet Foxes.

Vocalists Ryan Hahn, Kelcey Ayer and Taylor Rice’s voices merged, achieving a warm intimacy which generated a personal feel between the band and the crowd.

Central figure Kelcey Ayer combined singing duties with both drums and keyboards, which further enhanced the band’s wide range of skill and intelligence.

By the end, there was a feeling of rapture among the crowd and it was clear the band had left everyone on a complete high.