The East Pointers are the sort of band that needs to have the audience on their feet to get the best out of their music – and the Ropetackle did not quite fit the bill on Monday.

The Canadian trio raised a storm with their traditional Celtic jigs and reels and by rights the audience should have been letting their hair down and dancing in the aisles.

Unfortunately, the seating plan allowed very little room for those willing to step up and as a result some of the energy was lost.

The line-up featured Coady Chaisson on banjo, Tim Chaisson on fiddle and percussion and Jake Charron on guitar with all three instruments backing and working off each other.

The boys kicked off their UK tour in Glasgow at the weekend and have been booked for shows all over England for the next three weeks.

Brighton folk band, The Galleons gave the evening a balance with some fine singing harmonies and acoustic and electric guitar interwoven with keyboards and drums.

The band have recently had a break from performing to concentrate on recording their new album but are now back with performances booked for the Brunswick Hove and St Mary’s Church, Kemp Town.

Three stars