A highlight of this year’s Rainforest World Music Festival was the appearance on Saturday night of Leila Negrau. I can’t for the life of me understand why this powerful performer was not given the headline spot that night.

A singer and percussionist, Leila comes from the Reunion Islands, 750 kilometres east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. She has been a performer since the age of 11.

Within her conservative society Leila has always courted controversy and is somewhat an iconoclast, breaking the traditional perception of the woman’s role. She first stirred things up when she became the first woman to play the drum, an instrument that was only played by men.

Irrepressible, outspoken and sensual, Liela’s on-stage presence is extraordinary and she delivers a great show.