Forget about the warnings of storms, sub-zero temperatures and torrential rain, there’s a more elemental force coming in over the Irish Sea to the UK in the first couple of weeks in March; The Eskies are coming over to beat you into submission with a high-octane mixture of folk, jazz, klezmer and vaudeville. Picture a New Orleans jazz band jamming with The Chieftains and Gogol Bordello and it might sound a little bit like this. If the download-only single “Jesus Don’t Save Me” gets anywhere close to representing their live set, this tour could be quite a ride.

The single has a gypsy jazz feel that intensifies in the second half of the song through a few key changes and builds up towards an ending that leaves you wondering what on earth is coming next. And that’s just three minutes’ worth. But don’t take my word for it, have a look for yourself:

If you fancy seeing this maelstrom live, the English tour starts in March and you can see them here:

Fri 4                 Nottingham Bodega

Sat 5                Bedford Esquires (with CC Smugglers)

Sun 6               Milton Keynes The Stables

Tue 8               London The Finsbury

Wed 9             Stroud The Prince Albert

Thu 10             Bristol The Old Duke

Fri 11               Newquay Whiskers

Sat 12             Falmouth Princess Pavilion (with Mad Dog Mcrea)

Sun 13             Birmingham The Rainbow Courtyard (with Mad Dog Mcrea)

We’ll be witnessing the mayhem as they take the roof off The Finsbury in London, and anyone catching the shows with Mad Dog Mcrea should be seeing something very special indeed.