Lau, like Salsa Celtica, are products of the highly creative Edinburgh scene, in which musicians constantly seem to be playing with different bands and experimenting stylistically. Fiddler Aidan O'Rourke and guitarist Kris Drever had all worked with a variety of other musicians before they teamed up with Green, a Scotland-based Englishman best known for his work with Eliza Carthy.

Together, they have taken a new approach to the folk scene by ignoring traditional material and writing their own jigs, and creating complex and melodic instrumentals that change as the emphasis switches between their three instruments.

So a moody accordion passage developed into a robust fiddle section, was driven on by guitar, and then segued into a furious improvisation, with a now-frantic Green almost falling off his stool in excitement. Even when they added vocals, with Drever reviving traditional ballads such as Butcher Boy or Unquiet Grave, the lyrics may have been ancient, but the melodies were always new, subtle and surprising. On this showing, they should have won Best Live Act as well.

Web: http://www.lau-music.co.uk/index.php