CLANNAD play music to breathe out to. On a Sunday evening in York, it was good to sit back and let their brand of Celtic folk wash over you.

The band, based around three members of the Brennan family, have now been working for more than 40 years and are known for their use of atmospheric vocals and synthesisers, which has afforded them a unique spot in the folk-rock world: the folk tunes are there, but given a palatable wash, helped by Moya Brennan's fantastic voice.

The band delivered a set of songs from their most recent album, Nature, with a mix of Clannad classics: the theme from Harry's Game, In A Lifetime (originally recorded with U2's Bono), and the faintly silly theme from the Robin Hood series, featuring the refrain "Robin, the hooded man".

They engaged the audience, too, urging them to sing along. "This has nine verses…so no excuses," joked singer Moya Brennan.

Every song was meticulously rehearsed and delivered with panache, with every musician giving respectful room to their fellow band members.

There were signs that Clannad could be something more experimental: guitarist and singer Pol Brennan yelled encouragement to his bandmates, as if wanting something more explosive, but the two rhythm guitarists at the back barely moved, or looked that bothered. Pol's restless energy and the brilliant percussion of Ged Lynch injected some charisma.

A drum solo near the end in a song with jazz-folk-rock leanings was a tantalising glimpse of a looser, more exploratory sound. Clannad are very good. But they could be amazing.

- Miles Salter