Paléo - Fusion music from Scotland to Spain to Sicily
- Catherine
- Jul 26, 2009
- 2 min read
Rodrigo and Gabriela, Amy Macdonald, Alborosie. Around the world at Paléo.
India is the theme in the Village du Monde this year at Paléo but the music playing in the tents each night covers over all countries, and continents. Music that often crosses and fuses different styles, giving the audience a unique listening experience.
Rodrigo and Gabriela from Mexico define their music as fusion. "Latin rythms and harmonies with a rock structure". Whatever the title, they wowed a full Chapiteau tent on Thursday night with superb extraordinary acoustic guitar playing and energy. The stand selling CDs at the festival was swamped after their performance, with customers all queuing up to buy their music, such was its popularity. The duo have received rave reviews at other concerts and undoubtedly will receive many more after their Paléo appearance.
The fusion theme continued later with Alborosie. An Italian from Sicily singing reggae and the first white artist to be distributed by the legendary label of Bob Marley. With dread locks flowing he brought a pulsating reggae rhythm to the evening and to reggae fans in the Chapiteau.
Over in the Dome tent there was an extraordinary mix of music and dance with La Route des Fils du Vent. This show combined different musical traditions with over eighteen artists on stage. There was music from Andalucia, to India, to Romania all retracing the the journey of gypsy people throughout the world all through flamenco rhythms, fakirs, gypsy violins, and drums and dancers.
One of the headline acts over on the main stage was Amy Macdonald. A young singer at only 22 she is petite but with a big voice and is an extremely accomplished performer. Accomplished also at pleasing the crowd. She talked about performing in the Barrowlands venue in her home town of Glasgow and how "It's a very special place" but then she stopped and went onto say "however it's not a spectacular as here. Should she ever stop singing she could equally find a career in the diplomatic service.