Rock, Rain and Rainbows at first night of Caribana

Caribana night one - From "Polar Circles" to "Ska-P" to "The Pixies"

The first few hours of the first night of Caribana began clear and dry and then the heavens opened on to the festival grounds. Despite the heavy downpour, it didn't dampen the spirits for many music lovers.  The enthusiastic energy of Spanish ska band "Ska-P "got the crowd dancing in front of the Grande Scène and the crowd were later rewarded with a 30 minute encore from the band.

See a very short video of the crowd in the rain last night

The weather began to improve and a rainbow appeared above the grounds and over the lake.

Note: there are two bars for the public at the festival that give a view over the lake. The Cargo 16 and the La Plateforme (this latter bar is for  over 18's  only)

Photos above - C. Nelson-Pollard. Later on in the evening "The Pixies" played on the Grande Scene. Two Living in Nyon readers give their verdict on the concert and the atmosphere in the crowd. "I first saw the band in 1989 and they were sharp as ever, mixing newer tracks in with barnstormers like 'Wave of Mutilation' and 'Debaser'. Lots of jumping up and down from happy 40-somethings in the crowd - although I did notice a bit more mild bouncing than actual pogoing going on!" Another reader said - "I could "Stay All Day", knowing the Pixies were in town. This iconic, indy-alternative rock group played to a specific audience (wearing rain gear and plastic ponchos). It's the music that was important here, not the show.  This can-be-noisy, fabulously complex music brings with it both a screeching Black Francis at one point,  and a mellow voiced Black Francis with the change of tune......"Here Comes your Man". How has his voice survived all these years? There was mix of their old classics and 'new stuff', which was received with polite applause and roaring cheers for what has gone before. "La La Love You".........The Pixies were splendid!"

Photo above and below - "The Pixies" -  courtesy Rowan Unsworth

Photo above - "The Pixies" - courtesy Sonia Dugué On the line up tonight ( Thurs 5 June) at Caribana are Kodaline, Miles Kane, Queens of the Stone Age, Aliose, George Barnett, The Crags See more photos below of the first night - All photos C. Nelson-Pollard

Above: Left to Right - Alice from Annecy, Pauline from Chambery and Adrian from Marchissy at Caribana to see "The Pretty Reckless" .  They recommend the Crazy Chips stall - Fried potatoes on a long barbecue stick

Photo above: The "Miss Caïpirinha" Bar -  a regular feature at the festival

Above - A new feature at the festival "La Tonnelle" a wooden bar in the centre of the festival, a good place to shelter when it rains and also to watch the bands playing on the "Scène du Lac" stage.

Photos above: Swiss band  Polar Circles (from the Lausanne region) playing on the "Scène du Lac" stage. Note: It is definitely worth checking out some of the smaller names including  the Swiss bands that play at the three Nyon music festivals - Les Hivernales, Caribana, Paléo etc, and at Nyon's permanent venues  - the Usine à Gaz, and the Parenthèse.  These bands often go on to be big names in the music industry-  "The Temperance Movement"  who recently played at the Parenthèse  are currently special guests supporting "The Rolling Stones" on four of their European dates.

Dancing at the "Plateforme"  bar - There are different  DJs playing every night at this bar, playing late into the night.