Brad Pitt is walking down a street in an old area of Mexico City when he sees a woman at a cafe who stops him in his tracks. He approaches and they make eye contact, no words spoken. Moments later they’re dancing to the incredible guitar play of two busking musicians nearby, the scene ends. Or at least that’s what sort of visual I have in my head when listening to Rodrigo and Gabriella’s music. If you enjoy the music of Andy McKee and Khaki King with palm slapping and jaw dropping ability to sound like there’s a full guitar quartet, come out for Rodrigo and Gabriella. Their sound is undeniably unique and even if you don’t know the artists I spoke of previously these two will make for a fantastic show. Come with a date, come alone, heck I’ll be there solo having a ball. But come more importantly to witness two talented guitarists as they bring flamenco guitar play to First Avenue on 6/2. Tickets are still available HERE
Since they left Mexico for Ireland in 1999, Rodrigo y Gabriela have established themselves as one of the most popular acoustic instrumental bands in the world. They have sold in excess of 1.5 million albums worldwide, and have sold out venues like the Hollywood Bowl, the Royal Albert Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Le Zenith in Paris on numerous occasions. From humble beginnings as buskers on Dublin’s Grafton Street, endless touring and a great word of mouth buzz carried the band forward until their international break out with the release of their self-titled 2006 album, which spawned the hits ‘Tamacun’, ‘Diablo Rojo’ and their cover of ‘Stairway To Heaven’. The duo appeared on Jools Holland, BBC TV’s Glastonbury coverage, plus Letterman and Jay Leno in America. 11:11 followed in 2009, and the band went to Cuba in 2012 to record with local musicians for Area 52. The band’s last studio album release was 2014’s 9 Dead Alive. Their current tour celebrates the 10 year anniversary of their self titled album.
If you’re still unsure I recommend listening to their songs, Diablo Rojo and a cover if Stairway to Heaven. Adios y te veo allí mis amigos!
Tour Dates:
May 25 Roseland Theatre Portland, OR
May 27 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
May 28 The Fillmore San Francisco, CA
May 31 Boulder Theater Boulder, CO
Jun 02 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
Jun 03 Vic Theatre Chicago, IL
Jun 04 Vic Theatre Chicago, IL
Jun 06 House of Blues Boston, MA
Jun 08 Brooklyn Steel Brooklyn, NY
Jun 09 Terminal 5 New York, NY
Jun 10 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA
Jun 11 The 9:30 Club Washington, DC
Jun 12 9:30 Club Washington, DC
