Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Loud, boisterous, full of vigour and passion, to watch The Theme is to enjoy a great night and have you panting for more.

The inexplicable nature of life, of how it has changed in the last 40 years, sometimes for the better in that bands have more access to the world outside their hometown, sometimes for the worse as in there is only so much finite time in which to keep searching through the relentless onslaught of social media updates and the outpourings of invites to see many a new group, can leave you feeling as if all your life you have lived by a quiet oasis and yet you yearn for the bucket and spade in which to dig a thousand moats.

For The Theme, the drawbridge to the oasis is lowered and a cavalcade of great music comes flowing through as the sands themselves have let loose and shook off their sweaty lethargy, the great thirst is tempered and the fun of the Mod expression is set free.

Fronted by the energetic and instantly likeable Gary Davis on vocals and joined by Paul Bassom, Peter Sim, Martin Gamby and Darren Cade, The Theme metaphorically took apart the stage of The Cavern and goaded the audience with rampant tunes, a sheer torrent of humour and the essentialness of patient burning anger which strode through each song as if on a mission to really let the muscles loose and the lyrics fly with passion.

There is nothing like coming across a band that attracts the senses in a different way whilst reminding you of earlier incarnations such as The Who. Although not in the same league as the band that changed the way Mod and Rock could be seen as a unifying force, no group will ever be able to arguably master that musical storm again, The Theme certainly captured the imagination fully.

Tracks such as Face In The Crowd, Fallen Hero, the impressive Shake Up The Youth and the set closer Take Me Away  were all cheered as if they carrying the hopes of a generation upon their backs, as though music had found a new name in which to conjure with.

The Theme really cemented the path of this year’s I.P.O with spirit and strength of will, a story of might and passion rolled into one group of great talent. Such is the point of dedication to the cause.

Ian D. Hall