Kevin Bronson on April 17th, 2013

0

Who: Rodriguez in the Gobi Tent
In 3 or Fewer Words: Legend, loved.
Memorable Because: It is 41 paces from the back corner of the Gobi Tent to the fringe of the substance-addled area known as The DoLab. Talk about worlds apart. As Sunday evening’s onerous windstorm approached and the DoLab’s annoying something-’n’-bass encroached on the tent, fans took it into their own hands to make some noise for Sixto Rodriguez. A good 10 minutes before the 70-year-old – who suffers glaucoma and various aches and pains from years of doing manual labor – was assisted onto the stage, the crowd began clapping and chanting his name. It was a warm-hearted gesture for the man whose music and backstory have become a late-arriving legend, owing to the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.” The film tells the tale of how the Detroit-based songwriter flopped and was forgotten in 1970s America, but, unknown to him, became something of an iconic figure in then-culturally-isolated South Africa, where his music was popular. He was popular Sunday night too, even if the set was balky and plagued by sound woes and interference from external sources. There was little of the brief but gracious banter that has characterized some of his L.A. shows (he fared much better a few months ago solo at the Hotel Café), but there’s no denying the timelessness of his songs. At the end he merely said, “It’s been an honor and a privilege, thank you very much,” and took a bow with his band. Reverentially yours, Rodriguez.
What I’d Telly My Friends Who Were at Tame Impala: You missed a Kodak moment.
– K.B.