The beauty of going to rock and music festivals in Vaud, is not just to see the main big named acts and to soak up the atmosphere, but also to discover new bands. Sometimes these bands already have a following in their own country but are not as well known over here. Most Swiss audiences are open to new names and last night was no different at Caribana.
Not only were Kassidy from Scotland new to the crowd, but they were also playing on a brand new, intimate stage called the Scène du Plage right on the lakeside. A drop dead gorgeous setting and not a bad place for a European debut (they announced it was their first gig outside the UK).
Swiss audiences can take a while to warm up, and indeed it took two or three songs before they began to show their enjoyment last night. Kassidy themselves had obviously warmed up in more ways than one, as although it's a small stage, it's also a hot one and inside such a small tent it wasn't long before they began to peel off their outer layers - Caribana being possibly a tad hotter than Glasgow. By now the audience were really showing their appreciation and the tent began to fill up and the crowd were straining at the back to see who was attracting the attention.
It's a testimony to their great sound and tight perfomance that when the time approached for Deep Purple to come on to the main stage nearby, the crowd remained. When Kassidy began to sing "You are everything I've always wanted" it seemed four bearded guys with a great sound was the only thing the audience wanted or needed at that moment. The band did try out a smattering of French words: "C'est magnifique, bonjour Caribana" etc, this was a tad better than previous British bands that have performed here who haven't attempted a word of French. Not that the crowd wouldn't have been able to understand if the band had kept to English - after all this is a country of polyglots, it's just that judging by past experience, the crowds really appreciate it if bands converse a little in French if they can with the audience. This was an excellent, if too short set and after all, it's not about conversation it's all about the music. On the Caribana festival's own website it says; "Go see them now in this intimate setting as it's unlikely you will get this chance again". I think they are right. I reckon Kassidy will be back one day. A wee chat with one of the band members afterwards revealed that they had been swimming in the lake just before the concert. There aren't too many rock festivals in the world where you can do that, so it should entice them to return. I reckon they will be either on the main stage at Caribana or who knows? Maybe even at Paléo one day - remember, you heard it here first.... Update to this post June 2011- Kassidy did indeed play at Caribana in 2011 - See latest post here