I went to the same concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and was really disappointed. The sound wasn't great but it was mainly the lack of 'sparkle' that I missed. Some of the singers and musicians were great and seemed to be enjoying themselves - Teddy Thompson, John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick, Jerry Douglas and Karen Matheson in particular but I found some performers a bit, well, limp. I know it's a very subjective thing but I felt a bit let down by it. Plus, I had wanted to see Paul Brady and Eddi Reader and neither were there.
I've spoken to a few people at that concert, some who don't agree but many who do. I wonder if they are just fed up with touring?