Renamed Afro Celts change for the better

Afro Celt Sound System has established such a solid artistic identity over the last decade that it was surprising when the group announced recently that it would change both its name and its style.

The original name was created to identify the band’s innovative fusion of three principal components: African music, Celtic music and the sophisticated technology of the contemporary recording studio.

With the release of its latest album, “Seed,” the band presented itself as the Afro Celts, reflecting a desire to maintain its core musical elements while loosening the connection with technology -- to become, in other words, a regular performing ensemble that can make impressive music without relying on studio trickery.

On Thursday at the Santa Monica Pier, however, the new Afro Celts sounded a lot like the old Afro Celt Sound System, with some added pluses. Once again, it displayed a colorful blend of sounds and textures (African and Middle Eastern percussion, Celtic violin and pipes) underscored by powerful, groove-heavy rhythms.

Much of the music came from “Seed.” The most notable distinctions from past efforts seemed to be a reduction of DJ-like samples and programming, with an increased emphasis on interactive ensemble work.

The band’s soloing -- especially Iarla O Lionaird’s vocals, the singing and kora playing of N’Faly Koyate and the pipes and violin work of Emer Maycock -- was as high-flying as ever. And by the time the set fully unwound, guitarist and co-leader Simon Emmerson’s assertion that the Afro Celts have “finally become a band” had been fully proved.