Evolution Fest Crowds Fought Past the Mud to Catch a Weekend of Great Music at Forest Park
–by Randy Thompson
–photos by Laura Tucker
The Evolution Festival in Forest Park presented their second event this weekend, and despite the rain and mud, it rolled on smoothly and without any apparent serious incidents. The food and drink were plentiful and very tasty. The timing of the concerts stayed in sync with the schedules for the most part. The crowds had plenty of room to move around without providing a claustrophobic feeling, except for the final concerts when Beck or The Killers were playing. There were plenty of portable toilets with hand cleansing stations, which is always nice. A few port-a-potties down by the Lindenwood Stage would have been appreciated. There were a lot of good bands playing at the Lindenwood stage, and there were large audiences that would have benefited from screens showing the bands playing, as at the main Missouri stage. The organization of the event was linear and well done. We really couldn’t have asked for more and we definitely are looking forward to returning next year to see what they have in store for us then. We didn’t manage to see all the acts, but here’s what we did see:
DAY 1 – SATURDAY
THE NITE SPRITES
The Nite Sprites were a fun, upbeat local band. They’re a solid rock band but with a yacht punk infused sound keeping the audience interested and dancing along. The lead singer has a distinctive voice and the band keeps the music moving. They’re local, so if you get the chance to see them you should take it.
TRE BURT
Tre Burt brought us a soul, blues tinged rock full of catchy hooks. He presented his songs in a commanding style that draws in and captures the audience. He slips from one genre to another, always telling a story with his original song writing. He exemplifies the essence of the Evolution Festival with a mix of genres and stories infused with positive energy.
ASTEROID NO. 4
This band certainly sounded like they came from outer space. Astreroid No. 4 has an ethereal energy with a psychedelic sound that emits haunting slices of early 60s Pink Floyd. But they’re their own group with their own sound, and they play well to their audience, giving them exactly what they are expecting. They have a face melting, up tempo approach that had heads bobbing and feet dancing. Asteroid No. 4 is a solid psychedelic group that takes us back a few decades but with modern touches showing up throughout the show. The syncopated beat and reverb packed acoustic backing held the band together with an electrifying sound.
BILLY TIBBALS
This band took the Beer Garden Stage by storm. Billy Tibbals is the London born lead singer. Billy is a rock and roll natural and he and his band leaned into an early 60s rock and roll sound while blending relevant contemporary rock sounds. They are a great live band with Billy’s dramatic delivery and occasional falsetto who inspire the audience to jump, dance, and shout along. We really enjoyed their set, and have a strong feeling that this band has a lot more to offer in the future.
PETE YORN
Pete Yorn and his band covered a wide range of rock and roll styles. He presents a mellow, heartfelt, storytelling approach that includes thoughtful lyrics and pleasant melodies. Yet they are rock and roll at heart, and were able to pull out some solid tunes and toss them to the audience with a punch. He has been on hiatus for a while with health issues, but he and the band came back strong in front of a large and very appreciative audience today.
ROBERT FINLEY
This great Louisiana musician has all of the tools that a true Blues man needs… excellent harmonica skills, brilliant guitar work, a tired and gritty voice that sounds like it has been through it all. But Robert Finley maintains that yearning, hopeful sound that exemplifies everything that the Blues are all about. He had a great backup band and singers, who got the heart and the soul moving throughout the set. If you love great Blues, this is the band to see.
BILLY IDOL
Billy Idol is certainly a living legend, a star of ’80s Rebellion Rock. He and his band came on to the stage swinging and threw everything that they had at the audience. We came into the show hesitant, but came out truly impressed. Billy and his band play with heart and soul, and they really know how to kick it. The band’s guitar player Steve Stevens looks the part of an aging Rock star, but shreds like he’s in his twenties. Billy Idol is all sneers, struts and leather jackets (as many costume changes as Taylor Swift), but he still delivers the goods vocally. It was great to hear songs like “Rebel Yell” and “White Wedding” live and in person. They have a loud and lively Vegas style feel to their act and Billy and his band did not disappoint.
NILES ROGERS and CHIC
This band is a funky, entertaining, and thoroughly talented group who kept the hits hurtling towards us as the audience took it all in with pure joy. Niles Rogers has plenty of awards stacked up and he’s earned them all as a singer-songwriter and producer.
Nile threw everything at us, songs that went from one end of the soul spectrum to the other funk filled side. He played his own music as well as Madonna’s and Beyonce’s, both of whom he’s produced. We couldn’t get very close because the crowd was amazingly huge and overflowed the area. (Screens, please) He definitely had the entire audience in his pocket and they were happy to stay there.
BECK
Beck is a superstar writer and performer who has graced stages for many years with an eclectic sound that covers many genres in an effortless manner. His music kept the audience thrilled throughout the entire show and they sang along with joy the entire time.
Beck has a boyish approach as was evidenced by his effortless performance while spinning, running up the risers and striking poses. He has an able backing band that sat back and performed exceptionally while he took over the stage. They stepped even farther back as Beck sat on the risers and played several acoustic numbers with the lights down low. But then they all came crashing back into life as Beck again sang and danced, bringing the audience up again into his eclectic mix. This was one of our favorite performances of the festival.
DAY 2 – SUNDAY
DADDY LONG LEGS
As we walked into the venue we were lured towards the Missouri stage by the sound of a deep, hardcore Blues Harmonica. As we made our way forward we entered the realm of Daddy Long Legs, a band that plays gritty, savage, heartfelt tunes. But they were also able to change gears and throw out rockabilly laced songs with an edgy, foot stomping force.
They did all of that with the grace and ease of a band with a true Rock and Roll heart. The group is composed of talented musicians who play with precision and skill. We really enjoyed the set as the lead singer’s voice went from a growling old blues man sound to a smooth Elvis crooning effect. After hearing this set we will be keeping our eyes and ears open for the chance to hear more from this talented group.
SLEEVEENS
The Sleevens are an exuberant punk rock group that hits hard and plays without mercy.
The audience was completely drawn in from the get-go. They play hard, fast, and with real skill, despite keeping that dirty punk sound humming along. Their lyrics were solid, and the guitarist whipped his hair in circles throughout the set making his head look like the brush on a car wash. They never really slowed down, always played hard and rarely stopped for breath. This frenetic energy had the audience bouncing, jumping, and singing along as hard as the band was playing. It was a fun and rollicking experience for all.
TODD RUNDGREN
Todd Rundgren is a virtuoso with an esteemed history in rock and roll. He came onto the stage ready to entertain his adoring audience while he and his band covered several genres. He is a musical chameleon who can croon with the best of them, then rock out, while also tossing in some solid R&B, psychedelia and prog rock along the way. He did all of that today with the skill of a true musical legend.
Rundgren has a tight backing band that kept everything rolling, exuding exceptional professionalism and pedigree. Rundgren was as solid instrumentally as he ever was. He maintains an excellent presence and prowls around the stage continuously with a rocker’s energy, twirling around at times and leaping into the air at others. Rundgren’s show takes the crowd back in time, reminding us that he is a rock and roll pioneer who still brings it to the table.
SCHIZOPHONICS
The Schizophonics brought it to the stage, full force with a no holds barred Rock and Roll energy that never wavered and never stopped. The drummer kept up a super fast-paced syncopated beat that didn’t let up.
The guitarist stood to the side but was blasting away at her guitar with exuberant talent and energy. Meanwhile, the lead singer threw himself around the stage like a rag doll while continuing to sing classic, straight ahead rock and roll tunes that had the audience jumping up and down for their entire set. The band was thrashing, crashing, and slashing.
It was almost as if there was a mosh pit on stage. Despite his moving at a frenetic pace the music was solid and extremely entertaining. This California band had more energy than anyone we saw at the festival. They are also extremely good musicians, and deserve a listen, but see them live whenever you get a chance.
SON VOLT
Son Volt is a well-known country alt band that presented their music in a subdued yet musically entertaining manner. They have a long history as musicians who play consistently entertaining music that happily satisfies their core fans. Today, playing for the local crowd, they would range from playing mellow acoustic songs, to focusing on solo band members work and then step it up and push it into the Rock and Roll range. The audience responded with appreciation for a talented band that kept everyone swaying throughout their entire set.
TOM MORELLO
Tom Morello and his band were not a group that we were particularly familiar with as the set began. Although the bands that he’s played with for many years were known to us, (Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave), he wasn’t here to play the greatest hits from those bands. He was here to share a message and to knock the socks off of his audience. The band did that exceptionally well, playing tremendous, earth shaking heavy metal riffs, and slaying it with incredibly deep and politically inspired lyrics that hit home and didn’t hold back for a second.
Morello is a fearless performer, backed by a solid band who took control and brought it to the audience without hesitation. Morello urged the audience to support those who have been abandoned by society and forgotten about. His message is real and it is strong, and it was presented with power, rage, and empathy. We walked away feeling drained emotionally, yet filled up by the power of the music. It certainly was an incredible experience for us and the rest of the audience.
ELLE KING
Elle King is a well-loved artist and given the size of the crowd she drew to the Lindenwood Stage she could have easily filled the space in front of the Missouri stage. (Screens, please) Elle King has a distinctive voice and she used it with might and grace to cover a range of genres from sassy rock to R&B, as well as country.
We weren’t able to get close to the stage, but her strong voice carried well, and her large band was there for support. She had the crowd entranced and when she played her mega hit “Exs and Ohs” it was one of the moments the crowd had been waiting for and everyone sang along. She also did a great cover of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” as a duet with her lead guitarist. The music was strong and catchy and just what the crowd was hoping to hear.
THE KILLERS
The Killers came on the stage proclaiming themselves a great rock and roll band and it was more than just a positive affirmation. They proceeded to do everything they could to prove it to the audience. Their fans were out in full force and sang along word for word throughout the night. This is a band that has the goods, a charming and talented lead singer, solid guitars, and a drummer who never gave an inch. They threw us well known hits, a couple of interesting covers, a few from their new album and some positive thoughts. The lyrics are profound at times, and presented in a consistently excellent way. I found this band to be as dynamic as I had heard they were live, and it was obvious that the entire crowd believed in the initial proclamation. The Killers were the perfect way to end the 2nd Evolution Festival. We’re already looking forward to next year.
