Theme Park // Evolution Festival 2012

Beautifully unsynchronised knee-bobbing, bright shirts and even brighter music, Theme Park have had quite the touted year. Supposedly one of the next ‘big’ things to happen to indie-rock, they had a lot to prove as they took to the stage at this year’s Evolution festival, gracing the presence of a sea of already intoxicated teens.  So perhaps they do deserve the hype that currently surrounds them. When you just sit and listen to tracks like ‘Milk’ and ‘Wax’, there’s a new and exciting sense of funk-rock. An interesting trait that might not have made as much an appearance in our ears as we would have liked, yet on seeing Theme Park live, really, they don’t differ from other young bands, somewhat risking lost dives into the lost indie pool, funky shirts and all.

It’s a shame. First hearing ‘Milk’ took focus, restraining not to break out into embarrassing public dance moves, but sadly Theme Park had little effect on Evolution’s young crowd. So, maybe it’s the crowd who are to blame. Young teens don’t always seem to show the same appreciation for little-known bands, creating an awkward situation, but really, as one who prefers to look past others’ reactions and decide for myself, even I, a self-confessed Theme Park lover, was unimpressed. There was not even a glimmer of the dance-ability that rang previously. Theme Park were left somewhat awkwardly knee-bobbing their way through songs. One thing is for sure, Theme Park’s studio sound is still exciting. So they didn’t manage to dodge the poor sound quality at Evolution? So what? Few artists manage it. Maybe this was not their day, not their perfect setting for a performance. But packed into a crowded small venue? That is where I can see Theme Park audibly imaging that funk-rock sound that excited so many in the first place.

4/10

Words: Charlotte Stones