Eleven years on, and they’re still wonderful.

Why someone – maybe the National Eisteddfod – can’t get them to the UK to perform is a mystery.

In the meantime, you have to come here or go to France where their brand of cabaret has a market.

There’s a war on obviously but the power of art is still needed. And appreciated, perhaps even more so where daily existence is never taken for granted.

And there was a healthy appetite for the band at Dnipro’s Stage Music Hall, with around 400 in attendance for a gig that started at 7pm sharpish.

Since their astounding debut in 2013, the seven daughters have become five.

One, Nina Garenetska, was on loan anyway from the arguably even better Dakha Brakha, with whom she tours the world.

The daughters were six – one has dipped out for some reason – last time I saw them here in Dnipro in 2021. Pre-war, almost a different era.

They’d not really added much to their repertoire by then and perhaps needed refreshing.

Putin stepped in.

And with a slideshow backdrop heavy on Putin/Hitler comparisons, the early, dark numbers were profound and compelling.

Lyrics were lost on me as Ukrainian is not my strong point.

Occasionally English lyrics surface. As do French. A badly filmed snippet:

Always visually striking, the daughters haven’t deviated greatly from their initial outre look, channelling Liza Minnelli and teaming tutus with a punky attitude.

Alluring, sassy, profound, funny – only in Ukraine. An extraordinary creation.

And in Solomiya, centre below, they possess an angel’s voice.

Lyricism pours out of her as she tackles accordion, cello and piano with marvellous facility.

This band have got better since their start. Back in 2013, they didn’t quite know how good they were.

Their YouTube stuff does not do them justice. They’re tighter, more confident.

More than a band even. A symbol of an unyielding Ukraine – not easy listening, never turning the dial up to 11, but capable of switching from gentleness to anger.

We just need to get them into Britain somehow. A sole appearance at Womad in 2023 is the only date I’m aware that they’ve played here.

Is anyone listening?