Rodrigo Y Gabriela @ ThePalais, Melbourne (05/01/10)

Fri 8th Jan, 2010 in Gig Reviews

The Palais never ceases to amaze as a venue; with it’s massive overhanging balcony and ebullient ceiling. Support act, Stiff Gins, are probably more in awe of the place than the crowd, stating up front that they have never played to an audience even approaching this size.

However rather than being daunted they come across as grateful. A simple acoustic two piece, with just guitar and two sets of vocals they were never going to set any musical revolutions alight. However there is certain earnestness, an honesty in both their songs and interactions with the crowd which means the audience can’t help but be endeared with them. It’s good old fashioned storytelling about life at its purest. Whilst the simple guitar rhythms get things going it is the intricate harmonies of Nardi and Kaleena that brings on a wave of pleasantness to their tunes, making them perfect for summer.

The thing that amazes about Rodrigo Y Gabriela is their ability to keep you so enthralled in the music even though there are only two guitars and no vocals. Furthermore it’s amazing that, considering this, the level of acceptance they have received worldwide. Really all it can be put down to is sheer volume of talent.

The first thing you notice is that they heavily to the front of the stage boosting the energy while shortening the distance between them and the crowd. Occasionally for the slower parts they withdraw to the rear of the stage and are seated. It has been well advertised that the two of them used to perform in a metal band, and it is this fusion of styles that makes their brand of instrumental work so unique.

Blending heavy metal’s intensity with Irish drumming rhythms, classical guitar virtuosity and something distinctly Mexican leads to a potent mix. The way in which the two use their instruments is also completely different to other guitarists. Gabriela tends to work more as a rhythm guitarist, which in her case means both strumming and playing the body of the guitar as a sort of drum, simultaneously. Rodrigo’s speed along the fret board at times seems impossible as he pulls all sorts of unusual sounds from his guitar including using his beer bottle as an effective slide.

They also mix things up by using effects pedals to distort and warp their acoustic sounds, best put to use for a tripped out version of Stairway to Heaven, which forces me to reassess my least liked Led Zeppelin song. This along with an incredibly versatile version of Metalica’s Orion are the only covers of the night. The majority of the material is pulled from new album 11:11 with the title track (dedicated to Pink Floyd) channeling and distorting the work of David Gilmour.

Although the venue is seated, the crowd stands for at least 80% of the show with some choosing to dance in the ails. It is with disbelief that we hear Gabriela tell us that they are both self taught and neither of them can read music, before she proceeds to give us a lesson in their unique brand of playing. This doesn’t seem to hold them back as they perform the track Hanuman, dedicated to Carlos Santana, that equals the great man himself. After performing for almost two hours, with one encore they leave to a standing ovation.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE