Pop Reviews : Gipsy Kings Throw Out Rule Book at Greek

Much of the Gipsy Kings’ show at the Greek Theatre on Thursday was a primer on how not to perform. These pop-flamenco guitarists, one of the most popular acts on the world-music circuit, broke every rule in the book.

It was a bare-bones stage set-up, with the six acoustic guitarists strung out in a line across the stage, their electric backup band in the rear. And though the musicians are related--two interrelated sets of gypsy brothers--they barely interacted on stage. But then they barely interacted with the audience, either, hardly saying a word all night.

The music, though, did the talking for them, and that was plenty for the fans on this second of three nights at the Greek. The audience was in a joyous frenzy most of the time, clapping and dancing to the jaunty French/Spanish folk-flavored pieces. There were some vocals, never in English, but most of the music was spirited, melodic instrumentals, the wall of guitars laced with percussive accents.

It would have been interesting for the group to explore some of the possibilities of its makeup, perhaps breaking into smaller units or putting the spotlight on individual members for solo features. But the Kings have settled into a narrow niche and doggedly stuck to it Thursday, and no one seemed to mind one bit. So much for going by the book.

The Gipsy Kings play Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre tonight, Tuesday at the Santa Barbara Bowl and Wednesday at the Open Air Theatre in San Diego.