Last updated 05:36, Friday, 25 July 2008

KilaKila didn’t have much luck on Sunday night. On at the same time as folk megastar Richard Thompson, at first they played to a half-full tent.

When main stage overspill started arriving, it was clear the crowd would need some convincing. Luckily, this is no ordinary folk band.

Hailing from Dublin, Kila combine traditional Irish music with a distinctive Eastern European sound. They sing in both Irish and Ainu, a Northern Japanese dialect picked up from occasional collaborator Oki.

Yet at first their singing seems distinctly African. Dense, all-male harmonies sound like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, set to a backing of flute, fiddle and bagpipes.

Singer Rónán Ó Snodaigh is an astounding bodhran player, beating a frantic rhythm as he chants lyrics in Irish. The language barrier blends his voice with the instruments, making it part of the jigs and reels.

Tunes come in twos or threes, with sets like the ‘Baroquey’ group moving from spiky violins to a lively Irish dance. Bagpipe and fiddle solos are played at light speed, while slower songs are stately and dignified.

The last few songs are guitar-led numbers like The Grand Hotel, delivered at a relentless pace. An irresistible percussion solo leaves only the exhausted standing still - sadly this includes your reviewer.

Above all, the performance is absorbing and instinctive. Kila make music that goes straight to the gut, and can turn a disgruntled audience into their biggest fans.

Hats off to the Irish.

MEG JORSH