Laïs

Laïs is a seminal Flemish folk trio formed in 1994 in Gooik, Belgium, consisting of Jorunn Bauweraerts, Nathalie Delcroix, and Annelies Brosens. They are credited with spearheading a folk revival in the Low Countries during the late 1990s.

Their sound identity is built upon 'close harmony' singing, a technique where vocal intervals are tightly packed, creating a shimmering, resonant effect. Their repertoire is largely drawn from historical songbooks, utilizing lyrics from the Middle Ages set to original or traditional melodies. Evolutionarily, the group moved from pure a cappella performances to incorporating a diverse instrumental palette including hurdy-gurdy, accordion, and eventually rock-influenced bass and drums. Culturally, they occupy a unique space between academic early music and mainstream folk-pop, achieving significant commercial success in Belgium with the hit ''t Smidje'. They are frequently compared to Nordic acts like Värttinä and Garmarna for their ability to modernize regional folklore without sacrificing its mystical, ancient core. Critical consensus highlights their vocal technicality and their role in preserving the Flemish dialect through a contemporary artistic lens.