There's something strange about seeing traditional bands like Nomos and Altan in the vast, cavernous surroundings of the Point: their music is best suited to smaller, more intimate environments, so it takes a while to adjust. Cork-based group Nomos got the second evening of Gael Force started with an impressive but hopelessly short set.
Sharon Shannon has the ability to incorporate various eclectic influences without ever losing her musical direction. In a 20minute set with her band she explored a variety of styles and showed her virtuosity on fiddle and accordion before transferring to whistle for Rathlin Island, a particularly memorable set of reels.
The second half was dominated by a long set from the Afro-Celt Sound System, who make a dubious attempt to fuse traditional Irish music with African rhythms (the rhythm seems to owe a lot more to rock music than to Africa). However, the group cannot be easily dismissed, if only because both its leader, James McNally (flute, bodhran), and piper, Ronan Browne, are such formidable soloists.
For me, Altan were the highlight of the evening, sounding equally at home on blistering sets of reels and delicate ballads such as I Wish My Love Was a Red, Red Rose.
Elsewhere, the Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe made a few brief but dazzling appearances, and Brian Kennedy turned up unannounced to perform risible versions of Carrickfergus and REM's awful Everybody Hurts.
Finally, what happened to Stockton's Wing? Although advertised, they never showed and got no mention from the presenter.
