Rodrigo y Gabriela - Sala Paqui, Madrid
2006. That's probably the last time I saw Rodrigo y Gabriela. Their metal, acoustic flamenco, bodhrán-influenced, percussive brand of Mexican heavy rock had me mesmerised back then. They’d taken over the scene and had something fresh, something new and exciting about them.
Fast, percussive backbeats, heavy riffs, singalong melodies, face melting solos delivered on classical nylon string guitars with a side of heavy metal, rock energy. That's what I remember, but was at a different time for rock. It topped the charts regularly, it was gritty and grungey and drew crowds in their thousands. At the time, Rodrigo y Gabriela were one of the only acts to be using their instruments differently, meshing heavier styles with classical techniques and flamenco-inspired tunes. Those days are long gone. Foot pedals, loopers, drones, delays, reverbs and all sorts of effects pedals are the norm now and the territory they first mapped out has been explored by the masses and become the norm for many solo artists. The memory's a bit hazy. though I do remember loving every minute of their live sets. Years later, I didn't quite know what to expect as I walked down the steps into Madrid's Sala Paqui (formerly Sala But).
Their musicianship is undeniable. It takes a special type of duo to command the stage for two hours of live instrumental music. No lyrics to sing along to, no rousing choruses, not even the usual 'lalalalaaa' singalongs. Despite this, somehow, Rodrigo y Gabriela kept the audience's attention from start to finish. They didn't put a note wrong.
Rodrigo's melodic riffs and occasional shows of technical dexterity float seamlessly above the incredible Gabriela's classical guitar, flamenco-inspired, percussive bedrock. As a bodhrán player, the Irish touch in her playing is hard to ignore, both in the technique and groove. It is, however, their synergy that creates the real magic and it's sensational to watch. They aren't always in complete physical and spiritual sync, but when they are, there's a different type of magic. The more personable moments, explanations between tracks, given by both members of the band are welcome breaks from the intensity of the music and allow for the crowd to connect with the artists as people.
I don't have a tracklist to discuss, no real track by track analysis, just the feeling that there's a reason why this duo still draws a crowd, even if the average age has risen significantly. Their sound has shifted significantly. Rodrigo now plays an array of electric guitars, each of which is sent through all sorts of effects. They play to backing tracks, trigger effects and try to keep the gearheads happy by swapping out guitars, using a lap steel guitar and even a mic with a vocoder type effect made a cameo. They create more soundscapes, more atmospheric music - the various guitars with their differing tones and effects help in this pursuit - and now have tunes that would sound at home in epic film soundtracks. Their writing and concepts are deeper, more philosophical, more introspective. That said, some tracks are reminiscent of a Nile Rodgers/Daft Punk funky, catchy sound and others have an indie, pop rock type riff. Somehow one or two of these riffs sound a little forced - as if there was a burning need for a simple catchy riff. It's not my thing. The overuse of backing tracks and effects had me hankering for some simpler, older tunes. So, the new sound might not be the old guard's thing, but it makes complete sense in today’s music market. I can see where they're coming from and the new set sounds like an evolution of the duo I saw a decade or so ago. Just as with Pokémon evolution, though, sometimes the next character along isn't quite the fan's favourite. There were no Metallica covers, no early 00s classics, no easy singalongs and crowd pleasers. Instead, two hours of a new, polished atmospheric sound and a new concept album that makes sense. I get why, I'm just sure the room would have liked to hear a couple of songs that paved the way for their rise.
Was it what I expected? Well, I didn't quite know what to expect but I think it probably was. It sounded to me like a band leading its following in a slightly new direction and exploring wider sonic territory. Do I love it? No. Do I hate it? No. Do I get it? Absolutely. I just think I’d have liked to see Rodrigo take out his classical, nylon-stringed guitar, tone down the effects and go back to basics. That’s the sound I now realise I craved walking in and am left craving days later.
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