Native James at The Deaf Institute
The Deaf Institute in Manchester got hit with something different on November 4th. Native James; an experimental grime and metal artist. He brought a set like no other. The venue was small, the lights were low, but the energy was unreal. The small, grunge venue created an explosive, but intimate connection between Native James and the crowd. No barriers, no distance, just sweat, bass, and pure adrenaline. His stage presence was undeniable; every movement felt charged, unpredictable, and alive. It's no surprise he's been selected for Download Festival 2026.
What made this show truly special was the live band. Two guitarists and a drummer backed Native James, turning his sound into reality. The distorted guitars echoed through the mix and the drums hit like thunder, and Native James cut through it all with his sharp grime flows and fry vocals. This combination felt like a rare balance the usage of grime's precision wrapped in the chaos of live metal. You could feel the sound in your chest, not just hear it.
Every drop, every breakdown carried an adrenaline that moved through the whole crowd.
Between tracks, Native James interacted with the crowd like they were his old friends hyping them up, laughing which pushed the energy higher. Even with the aggression and distortion, there was a warmth in how he performed. It felt personal, like he was letting us into his world for one night only.
The performance wasn't polished or perfect but, that's exactly what made it powerful.
Native James doesn't hide behind perfection; he thrives in the chaos. He builds energy from distortion and emotion from noise.
By the end of the set, the crowd was buzzing, drowned with sweat yet still charged. People didn't just leave with ringing ears; they left with a sense that they'd seen something new emerging from the underground. If this show was any preview of what's to come, Native James isn't just performing he's leading a new wave of UK heavy music that refuses to fit any box.
