Unicorn Kid

I suspect that most of the people at the Scottish Music Counsel's showcase at The Parish enjoyed Unicorn Kid's music. However, I also suspect that they would have enjoyed it much more had they been at a dance club, down a couple of drinks, rather than eagerly awaiting two of Scotland's hottest indie bands. Herein lied the primary mistake in the Scottish Music Counsel's SXSW showcase: in attempting to illustrate the breadth of musical talent from Scotland, organizers stuck a couple of electro-dance artists into a lineup full of folk and indie rock. With We Were Promised Jetpacks and Frightened Rabbit heading the bill, these concertgoers were at the Parish to sing along to their favorite indie Scottish anthem, not dance. Unicorn Kid learned this the hard way. Performing without his signature lion hat, which had been stolen earlier in the week, Unicorn Kid asked the crowd - politely at first, desperately later - to dance and move around. But, as with most audiences at indie rock shows, the crowd Wednesday night was more content to sip their beers and head nod, with an occasional sway slipped in. This isn't to say that Unicorn Kid's music was poorly received. Each song was rewarded with hearty applause and a few appreciative shouts. But his fun, 8-bit electronic melodies were meant for a European disco, not for setting the stage for popular indie rockers.