A Focused Keineg Balances Eclectic Moods

Singer-songwriter Katell Keineg’s charms reach far beyond “One Hell of a Life,” her blithely fatalistic folk-pop single, currently an adult-alternative radio hit. During her hourlong set Wednesday at the Troubadour, the Dublin-based performer crafted multiple mini-universes, compelling tales of heartbreak and bliss that unfolded slowly against her backing quartet’s rich musical landscape.

Barefoot, in black trousers and a tank top, Keineg’s appearance was in earthy contrast to her eclectic, moody music. Often accompanying herself on guitar, she drew largely from her acclaimed second album, “Jet,” her supple soprano stirring emotions equally with anthemic refrains as with vocal acrobatics, from Robert Plant-esque keening to dashes of jazz scatting.

Her charisma was more immediate than on the recording, and the live performance also rocked harder, as the album’s Beatles-isms were eclipsed by Keineg’s love of Led Zeppelin-style drama and staccato acoustic textures. The band adeptly grounded her ethereal singing, seamlessly blending a range of folk influences, from Celtic to Latin to Arabic and beyond.

Keineg’s focused performing style and quiet sensuality, plus the sense that her lyrics tell stories, rather than reveal herself directly, recalled PJ Harvey’s folkier moments. Keineg was less an imitator than a kindred spirit, however, conveying a nearly beatific sense of joy in performance while, like Harvey, traversing potentially pretentious territory without being irritating. Her songs hinted at layers of meaning, best absorbed by careful, repeated listening. And her appealing eccentricity makes it worth taking the time to get to know her.