Inspired by the vibrancy and popularity of the world music festivals, Komedia launched Globalista in 2004 in an attempt to create the leading world music season outside of London.

So far it has brought 23 bands from 11 different countries, showcasing the most charismatic performances and best party atmospheres they had to offer.

And as programmer Laurence Hill has discovered, there's no better way of getting a Brighton audience up and dancing.

With this in mind, Globalista 2006 has a strong Latin flavour and you'll even detect a Brazilian influence in the music of Indonesia's Sambasunda, who kick off the festival tonight.

In a fast-changing Indonesia, the 17-strong Sambasunda are part of a new generation of musicians who are seeking to redefine their rich musical heritage for the new millennium.

Led by composer and multi-instrumentalist Ismet Ruchimat, who started his career in 1989 in Gugum Gumbira's famous Jugala Orchestra Samba, they hail from Bandung, the bustling capital and cultural centre of Western Java.

More commonly known as Sunda, it is home to the second largest ethnic group in Indonesia with a unique language and culture.

As Ruchimat explains, to begin with Sambasunda took their cue from Western pop.

"The first thing we did was make a fusion of Top 40 songs like Endless Love and I Will Always Love You with degung gamelan music," he says.

"But then I thought, if we always just adapt Western music it's not very good. So we decided to return to our Sundanese culture for inspiration."

Now the group, who have released seven albums in Indonesia, update the lilting sounds of Sundanese degung gamelan and the angklung bamboo instruments by adding elements of Jakarta's kroncong, Sunda's jaipong, Balinese kebyar and the Brazilian rhythm of samba.

Tranquil flutes mix with heavyweight percussion and wild vocal chanting, making for energetic, often mesmeric performances. "Hearing their bizarre version of Brazilian pop," commented one critic, "is no odder than hearing Kraftwerk Latin-style".

"In Indonesia you usually just hear Indonesian pop, really sugary stuff," says Hill. "Sambasumba have the accessibility - their songs are very catchy and upbeat. But these guys've definitely got more oomph."

Starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £12 and £10, call 01273 647100.