Rock in Rio: with Pepeu and Armandinho, more of the same is alright

ROCK CITY, 6 p.m. - Apart from the Roots and Electro tents, instrumental music hasn't been much of a treat at Rock In Rio3. But guitarists Pepeu Gomes and Armandinho the facts in their hour-long set at the Brazil Tent. With the temperature still peaking, they got on stage ("To represent the Brazilian guitar", according to Pepeu) dressed up as they would have in 1985: tight pants, ribbons on their wrists, long hair, shiny shirts. Accompanied by a band whose highlight is the percussion section, Pepeu and Armandinho played a "heavy" set, alternating between their own material and varied standards, always with a lot of distortion. After a few numbers together, when they even did the National Anthem, the musicians split for solo moments: Armandinho played a version of Geroge Harrison's Something, and Pepeu played his own Malacaxeta. The first guest to join them on stage was accordionist Borghettinho, to do the ancient classic Tico-Tico no Fubá. Then it was time for the drum section of samba school Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel to accompany the guitarrist in the song Brasileirinho. A correct show, with no surprises.