Dressed all in black, the legendary American performer cut a cool figure, ensuring that the night got off to the right start. Visibly enjoying himself, Womack asked onlookers , "Does anybody feel like they are gonna’ make love tonight?"

The tone for the evening had been set. They don’t come much more legendary than Womack - a man who has endured a fifty-year career through triumph and tragedy. With a full band, including brass section and gospel-style backing vocals, this was classic soul in a perfect club setting and the crowd (which included Cabinet Minister Leo Varadkar) roared their appreciation from the moment he hit the stage.

Opening with arguably, his best known hit, ‘Across 110th Street’, as famously featured on the Jackie Brown soundtrack, Womack immediately proved that his distinctive vocals and range are still fully intact while his passionate delivery was impressive for a man nearing seventy. Other highlights included the sensuous, 'Woman's Gotta Have It' while he hit a dance groove on '80s hit, 'I Wish He Didn’t Trust Me So Much'.

His more recent collaboration with Damon Albarn, 'The Bravest Man In The Universe' struck a familiar note among the younger contingent present, the deep bass rattling the walls while he even did his own version of 'It’s All Over Now', the song he wrote in the early 1960s, which was later covered by the Rolling Stones. [COH]

Next up, rising four-piece Bouts. Fresh from recording debut album Nothing Good Gets Away, the Dublin band showcased their own brand of self-described ‘pop grunge indie guitar loudness’. Highlights included new single ‘6.0’ and ‘We Tried’ with guitarist Barry Bracken taking the opportunity to throw himself head first into the audience at the end of their performance.

Receiving the warmest reception of the night without a doubt, was recent Hot Press cover star Emeli Sandé. Opening with ‘Heaven’, Sande’s powerful vocals cut through the packed Dakota, which at this point had revelers climbing on tables and chairs to secure a better vantage point. The hit-filled set included such tracks as ‘Read All About It’ and ‘Beneath You’re Beautiful’. [LD]

Check out a full gallery of live shots of Sandé's performance here.