Paul Young and Soul II Soul brought the first weekend of this year’s Féile to a close with a welcome dose of eighties nostalgia to the Big Top in the Falls Park.

In fact it looked more like Glastonbury than Belfast. After a weekend of heavy rain, those who came prepared with adequate footwear had no problems wading their way through the mud, for everyone else it was a case of just getting on with it in the shelter of the 5,000 capacity tent.

Paul Young was first on stage and began with Joy Division’s classic, Love Will Tear Us Apart, after that it was hit after hit as the eighties soul singer gave the crowd Love Of The Common People, Come Back and Stay, Wherever I Lay My Hat That’s My Home, and Everytime You Go Away.

Young’s adoring mostly female fans lapped up his antics on stage and sang along to some timeless classics.

The night ended with the main act, Soul II Soul, who brought their own brand of 1980s London soul to West Belfast. Keep On Moving, Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) followed, as the eight-piece went through their cool back catalogue.

Féile’s first weekend, which included Boyzone on Saturday, has got off to a flyer. Just don’t forget the welly boots.