RASPO All Stars (RASPO Steel Orchestra), 16-piece percussive UK calypso steel pan band bring the sounds of Trinidad to the 10th Festival of World Cultures, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, 24/07/2010.

Txütxükan performing at the 10th Festival of World Cultures, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, 24/07/2010.

Mahala Raï Banda performing at the 10th dlr Festival of World Cultures, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, 24/07/2010.

Mahala Rai Banda is a Gypsy band based in Bucharest (Romania). It was formed by violinist and composer Aurel Ionitsa, who originally comes from a family of lautari from the village of Clejani. He is related to several members of Taraf de Haïdouks.

The band plays with an array of styles and genres. Romanian violins & accordions are combined with a brass section consisting of army brass band veterans and musicians from Romania’s famous village Zece Prajini — hometown of Fanfare Ciocarlia and a rocking rhythm section. They effortlessly combine a knack for inventive arrangements with an ability to turn every single concert into a wild party.

Their music is positioned right at the crossroads between traditional popular music and club-oriented, so called Balkan Beats. This rich blend of sophisticated arrangements, traditional elements and modern outlook puts them in a unique position among all the current bands.

Biko Band performing at the 10th dlr Festival of World Cultures, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, 24/07/2010.

Based in Drogheda, and with a truly global repertoire, these musicians from France and Ireland mix the most funky and groovy of songs from South Africa, Eastern Europe, Brazil and Cuba with traditional French and Irish influences.

International icon, world music superstar, UN Goodwill Ambassador and charismatic King of Raï, Khaled made his first Irish appearance at the 10th dlr Festival of World Cultures.

Raï, the traditional folk music of the Bedouin people, mixes Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms as a means of voicing sometimes controversial socially progressive themes, such as equality for women and freedom of expression. As Khaled says, “we break taboos.” Raï however is not only a vehicle for politics; it is a sharing, a celebration of friendship, family and joy, attributes that define Oran, the capital of modern Raï and the King of Raï himself.

Born in Oran, Algeria, but living in France, Khaled is known throughout Europe for his classic singles Didi and Aicha — France’s biggest hit of the year. With a catalogue of film soundtracks including The Fifth Element, Khaled’s albums sales have reached a staggering 46 million.

Incorporating funk, jazz, electronica and reggae, and with a highly energetic stage persona, audiences have been known to respond to Khaled as 1950s teenagers did to Elvis. Not surprising for a performer that BBC3 said is “a phenomenon, and one of the few artists working in the region we call world music that can wear the title ‘superstar’.”

Cirrus, featuring special guest Dónal Lunny, performing live at the 10th dlr Festival of World Cultures, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, 24/07/2010.

Cirrus are the successfully selected members of Dónal Lunny’s recent TG4 television series “Lorg Lunny”. In this reality style tv series maestro Lunny travelled Ireland searching for young musical talent to create a new band with a fresh, unique sound in traditional Irish music. Many meetings, auditions and performances later Lunny had selected his eight young musicians, and Cirrus was born. This concert was their second public performance.

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Cirrus, con invitado especiale Dónal Lunny, en vivo en el 10 ° dlr Festival de las Culturas del Mundo, Dun Laoghaire, Irlanda, 24/07/2010.

Cirrus son los miembros seleccionados de la reciente serie de Dónal Lunny para el televisión TG4, “Lorg Lunny”. En esta realidad-estilo serie de tv, el maestro Lunny viajó Irlanda buscando talento musical de los jóvenes para crear una nueva banda con un sonido fresco, único en la música tradicional irlandesa. Muchas reuniones, audiciones y actuaciones más tarde, Lunny había elegido sus ocho jóvenes músicos, y Cirrus nació. Este concierto fue sus segundo actuación pública.

Many ties bind Irish musical traditions to those of Appalachia, pointing westward. Together Cathy Jordon, Rick Epping and Seamie O’Dowd demonstrate a deep understanding and appreciation for the rich musical traditions of the Atlantic Fringe. The Unwanted is a beautifully loose-limbed celebration of those cross fertilizations. (Irish Times)

Muchos lazos unen las tradiciones musicales de Irlanda a los de los Apalaches, señalando el oeste. Junto Cathy Jordan, Rick Epping y Seamie O’Dowd demostrar un profundo conocimiento y aprecio por la rica tradición musical de la franja atlántica. The Unwanted es una celebración hermosa sueltas extremidades de los fertilizaciones cruzadas. (Irish Times)