Paleo crowd arriving on Thursday evening - Photo, Jared Bloch

Nyon, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Fans enjoyed unexpectedly sunny weather Thursday evening at Paleo, in spite of intermittent showers earlier in the day. Apart from a few soggy patches at the concert sites, shows went on without a hitch, and the extra plastic sacs and rain gear packed in, went unused.

Mexican virtuosos Rodrigo and Gabriela set the tone for the evening, with a near hour-long guitar duel featuring their own material as well as covers of “Stairway to Heaven,” and “Oye Como Va.” See GL’s Paleo Photo Album

The musical intensity of the duo, drawn from electrified acoustic guitars, cool pedal distortion recalling Peter Frampton, amazing finger-work and drumming on the guitar box, was contagious and the audience quickly swelled outside of the performance space and took over the surrounding hillside. “It is amazing, the sound they produce with just two guitars,” commented audience member Simon Tongue. “The kids loved it, they were clapping and dancing on our shoulders,” he said. “We love Paleo, it’s fun, easy and safe,” added Tongue, a UK native and festival veteran who came with friends and family including kids aged 12, 9, 6 and 2.

Other favourites for the evening included Quebecois savant-rockers,Karwka. Two songs into the set, I was hooked on the quality and the depth of the musical imagination of this young band who cite Phillip Glass and the Beatles as influences.

Karkwa leaves concert viewers in need of a cold shower - Photo, Jared Bloch

Their songs, which weave melodic riffs with more experimental sounds – all laid down thick – seem to have a mind of their own and to follow the audience mood uncannily. The individual band members, who appeared too absorbed for “cool,” made a strong impression as well – particularly the keyboardist, guitarist and a percussionist who played with a passion that left the audience in need of a cold shower afterwards.

See GL’s Paleo Photo Album and the rest of GenevaLunch’s coverage of the Paleo Festival.

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