Sinead O'Connor, Friday, Main Stage
Atmosphere: Streams of warmhearted and encouraging punters enter the main stage area as the sun (yes, THE SUN) beats down. You'd have to wonder how many are curious to see if O'Connor will rant with the random enthusiasm for controversy she has been re-embracing of late.
High: When O'Connor's voice goes off, boy, does it wipe the floor with any of her contemporaries or anyone who has come in her wake since.
Low: Too many teething problems with the sound at the beginning of the set than should be acceptable produce an occasionally distracted performance.
Quote of the set: "This song is called Old Lady and I have to dedicate it to Ryan Tubridy. See you soon baby, Momma's coming home."
Verdict: With slicked back hair, dark glasses and donning a white scarf and black power suit, O'Connor eventually overcomes the issues with sound levels to produce some defiant renditions of tracks in a gig that features lashings of new material. The set also embraces the first singalong of the weekend with a rather understated blast of Nothing Compares 2 U. Unfortunately for the rubberneckers, any potential controversy evaporates.
Stars: *** 1/2