What the audience says: Otava Yo!

Just seen the band at the RNCM in Manchester. Absolutely fantastic, already contender for best gig of the year! Thank you for playing for us!

Had a most agreeable time in Manchester last night at the RNCM catching up with the fabulous Russian folk-regenerators Otavo Yo. A wonderful evening, not a face left unsmiling. They're a simmering samovar full of great tunes. Excellent musicians, singers and, yes, entertainers. All delivered with superb musicianship, dry wit, engaging explanations, ensemble singing and dancing and lots of love. Don't miss 'em!

Best gig in a long long time!@mac_birmingham #OtavaYo! Outstanding! #music #Birmingham #stpetersburg 

Thank you for an unforgettable evening of wit, humour and wonderful joyous music at Bury St Edmunds. You came, you played, you conquered! Please come back to UK soon.

Just to say a very BIG THANK YOU to the most beautiful and talented folk musicians for an amazing performance in Bury St Edmunds.

So glad I took a chance on #OtavaYo @mac_birmingham. Just the thing to brighten up a rainy mid-week evening.

That was fantastic. Amazing music and the most infectious energy. Come back to Sheffield soon. 

Totally hooked from the start, superb gig, great musicianship.

One of the best concerts I've ever been to, even that I didn't understand much. Otava Yo ladies and gentleman! спасибо Oтава ё!

Fantastic Gig here in Sheffield last night @ the University.
* Great venue * Magic music * Superb atmosphere * Wonderful time was had by all
Very nice to see so many people dancing. Thanks Otava Yo - come back soon.  

Vibrant #OtavaYo @sage_gateshead @makingtracks_uk delicious harmonies, verve, wit & huge warmth... Splendid gig!

Saw 'em in Bristol on Tuesday. They were all the things you say, and I was struck by the thought that they'd storm any UK folk festival, especially the bigger ones.

Live review: Otava Yo at RNCM

By Ellie Sherwood

What do you expect from a performance when the first thing you see on stage is a clothes line, twenty different instruments, and a wooden duck statue? Otava Yo obviously like to entertain their audience, and tonight’s gig at RNCM was no exception.

The 6-piece band from St Petersburg played their fusion of Russian folk song and contemporary music with such energy and wit, whilst skilfully revealing their lively, extraordinary, and romantic colours. Their main motive is clear: to communicate the loss of tradition and dying of Russian folk songs, which were once so integral to Russian life. Their way of reviving this tradition is to meld the past and the present by mixing Russian folk songs with a funky bass, electric guitar, zesty riffs, and off-beat rhythms, making it very hard to not immediately get up and dance (although I’m sure this is what happens at plenty of their concerts).

Otava Yo definitely made use of the twenty different instruments on stage, which ranged from wooden spoons to bagpipes. One of my favourite parts of the performance was the way the two violins were used: often in harmony, playing a beautiful folk song melody whilst the electric instruments accompanied, bringing the songs forward into the 21stcentury.

The musicians are clearly passionate about the importance of tradition, and their commitment to reviving their folk music in such a spirited way is extremely powerful. Otava Yo’s music left the audience feeling both nostalgic for the past and excited about the present – a rare sentiment that only a band of such zeal, dedication, and talent can inspire.