Ray Ban Envision Tour Bristol - Theme Park
It turns out that a Boxing Gym set in an old church makes for the perfect setting for a gig. With the acoustics of well, a church, plus the gritty backdrop of a real life cathedral of pain - The West Country Boxing Club made a great location to indulge in some Indie debauchery to celebrate the Bristol leg of Ray Bans Envision Tour.
We were treated to sets from both local guitar slingers The Portillo Moment and main act Theme Park who managed to belt out their Vampire Weekend esque range of tunes despite the unnerving proximity of intimidatingly large posters of Lennox Lewis and assorted British beef.
But why a Boxing Ring?
Well, each stop on the Ray Ban Envision tour represents a different characteristic of Ray Bans glasses. Bristol Boxing Academy representing the need to have sunglasses at the ready to cover any black eyes sustained after watching the complete digitally remastered Rocky box set and waltzing into a sparring session in a sweaty Primark hoodie. In all seriousness, it was actually a testament to Ray Bans range of hard-coated lenses, designed to resist breakage, abrasion and scratches. If your sunglasses are normally crushed to pieces before day three of the British summer (if the summer lasts that long), I'm sure you'll understand the need for eye wear that doesn't crumble in the hands of a toddler.
"No gumshield, No gloves, No sparring"
Luckily, the boxers had been cleared from the venue and replaced with a great sounding rig, lots of shiny sunglasses and an opportunity to spray paint your own t-shirt (a Ray Ban one - not the one you were already wearing). I missed the chance to see Theme Park a few months ago in Bristol and was pleasantly surprised to get another opportunity.
The Support act on the night were The Portillo moment - a band "inspired by suburban Britain and guitar noises", not to be confused (or perhaps to be confused with) 90's Have I got news for you joke fodder Michael Portillo.
Ray Ban continue their Envision tour with further stops in Leeds on June 6, Birmingham on June 13 and a special event in London to top everything off. Perhaps the success of the event will lead to more gigs in unusual locations? Some reggae in a lighthouse, or an indie outfit in a Theme Park. Theme Park in a Theme Park?! Too obvious. Boxers, you can have your gym back now.
If you have a better idea than mine (that's not going to be hard), there are more chances to get involved with Ray Ban's Envision tour and submit your own creative ideas to the Ray Ban website for a chance for our vision to be brought to life.
