A pagan place

Going to an evening of Pagan folk music isn't usually top of my list of things to do. In fact, a friend's connection to the band was the only reason I found myself at La Samaritaine in Brussels' Sablon district last week to see Omnia. But, as is often the case when expectations are low, it ended up being an excellent evening.
Dressed from head to foot in black and sporting runes, Celtic crosses and other pagan and iron age insignia, Omnia certainly have the look, for better or worse. Once the music started though, it quickly became the only focus of attention. The musicianship of the four bandmembers - Englishman Steve Evans-Van der Harten, his Dutch wife Jennifer Van der Harten-Evans, New Zelander Luka Aubri and Irishman Joe Hennon - was first class across a range of folk styles (English, Irish, Breton and Finnish, amongst others). Original pieces sat comfortably alongside traditional works and the band's excellent stage presence and easy manner heightened the audience's enjoyment. After two sets, (around two hours of music in total), it took three encores before Omnia could eventually leave the stage to a thunderous final reception. For details of the rest of their autumn schedule, click here.