Canadian band Le Vent du Nord have become heroes for many Québécois by mixing politics with good-time traditional music.It is a tricky balance, but this jovial quartet of multi-instrumentalists combine skilful playing and humour with reminders of their roots. They speak English, but their music, whether traditional or self-composed, is sung in French.
Their set at Cecil Sharp House began with a folk song from their latest album, Têtu, before easing into the first of their history lessons, Confédération, an upbeat story about French-speaking Canadians who have forgotten their roots.
Then they were away, switching from four-part a capella harmonies to the charming instrumental Petit Rêve IX, which segued into the sad but tuneful Pauvre Enfant. After 14 years and more than 1,400 shows, they have developed an easy rapport, with Nicolas Boulerice switching between hurdy-gurdy and keyboards and Réjean Brunet adding squeeze-boxes and bass, while their colleagues offered violin, stomping foot percussion and bouzouki. Some of the jokes may have sounded a little stale, but this was a rousing, classy set.
• At Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, on 24 August. Box office: 01728 687110. At Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea, on 26 August. Box office: 01273 464440.
