Rodrigo y Gabriela @ Liquid Rooms

Signature riffs from Metallica, the White Stripes and Jazz classic Take 5 are imbued with such a sense of fun

Article by Suzanne Mitchell | 16 Apr 2006

What sounds clever on record becomes a minor miracle presented live. Though not strictly Flamenco, Hispanic roots provide the basis of their sound and the most entertaining aspect of a R y G performance is the fun they have in twisting this format. A languorous latino rhythm (in the vein, say, of Buena Vista Social Club), can meander gently along until it crashes into some out and out power chords. Signature riffs from Metallica, the White Stripes and Jazz classic Take 5 are imbued with such a sense of fun that soon the crowd involuntarily begin to sway, clap hands and eventually stamp their feet. The intricate fretwork gels nicely with the simplicity of the set-up. For instance, percussion is provided by playing the guitar's body bodhran-style and tapping feet on the ground. Aiding this carnival atmosphere in no small way is the utterly charming personas of the protagonists. They introduce new material by telling stories of the people who inspired them: Will Young's personal assistant (incredulously) and an eccentric Mexican who can talk to crocodiles. Crowd pleaser Wish You Were Here precedes a rapturously received encore; a performance of 'duelling guitars' with rock staple Stairway to Heaven and dressed up in a Flamenco skirt, then fed full of space pills. [Suzanne Mitchell]