"MOVING, pulsating and thrilling to the marrow; an Irish music dream team" was the response that Lnasa's first album release received from Folk Roots magazine in 1997.

On the bands first visit to America in 1999, they were met with standing-room only crowds, confirming their reputation as the hottest Irish acoustic group to arrive on the scene.

With lengthy international tours and best-selling albums to their name, Hereford's Courtyard welcomes Lnasa on January 23 at 8pm.

Founding member and former all-Irish fiddle champion Sean Smyth says: "There are lots of great melodies in Irish music but not everyone hears the rhythms underneath - we let the music find its pulse."

Helped by ex-Waterboys member Trevor Hutchinson's remarkable string bass playing, the band's guitar, flute, fiddle, whistles and bodhran produce a sound that, though distinctly Irish, touches on jazz and other improvisational music forms.

Phone 01432 359252 to book, or 01432 278118 for further information.