Homegrown at Millennium Forum, L'derry

Originally envisaged as a "we can do it ourselves" initiative by Derry-Londonderry troubadour Paul Casey, the Maiden City's annual Homegrown concerts have been a steady and sturdy showcase for North West musical talent since 2013. It's now not uncommon to see the former City Of Culture's flagship venue, the Millennium Forum, charged with the energetic movement and filled with the admiring glances of an extremely receptive local audience every January. This is an instance where familiarity is not a flaw but an asset, a case of being in the tried and trusted company of musicians that Derry citizens have grown to know and love over the years.

Casey himself is the headline act of an evening that also features Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas, but, first of all, PORTS. While The Artists Formerly Known As Little Bear are not quite the kind to encourage dancing in the aisles, Steven McCool and his band encourage plenty of appreciation, and at times, even awe, for their popular indie folk melodies. Theirs is a strong exhibition of rhythm, experimentally retro keyboarding, and timely tone and tempo switches that undeniably impress everyone watching.

It is the accompaniment of both the strong audience reception in front of them and the exquisite strings of the Prima Quartet behind them that give PORTS' set unexpected, emotional depth. This may have been their first performance in the Millennium Falcon, sorry, Forum (yes, Star Wars fever is still very much in the air, as McCool himself admits following his amusing verbal slip) but they adapt to the surroundings with a remarkable, inspiring confidence.

Having satisfied the soul, it is surely time for the music of the night to satisfy everyone's ready-to-be-dancing feet. Unfortunately the atmosphere among Paddy Nash and his not entirely happy Enchiladas is a little tetchy to begin with – a guitar isn't working properly! Luckily, this doesn't overly matter in a concert that calls for merriment over the meticulous; it is, after all, a party, not the Proms. Therefore, this misfortune can be easily overlooked, or laughed along with, while Nash and company entertain everyone with their enjoyable riffs, punchy bass lines and easily relatable social commentary. Taking their cue from a more family friendly and slightly less acerbic Beautiful South, they and special guest Eamon Friel fill the venue with just enough wisdom, resonance and jauntiness to warm the cockles and lift the spirits.

Spirit-lifting comes naturally to Paul Casey, whose dependably consistent intimate sets have repeatedly entertained, even enraptured, audiences for years. And if anyone has any doubts about his ability to maintain those high standards, they are easily swept away with a mixture of old and new songs that efficiently, effectively exhibit Casey's desire to delight, evolve and innovate.

Deceptively nonchalant, a comfortable, reassuring presence, and pitch perfect in his tone changes, Casey enforces his standing as a formidable force in North West music alongside the delicately charming vocals of Eilidh Patterson and unexpected special guest Eoin "Best Boy Grip" O'Callaghan. All three, and the backing band, are clearly at ease with both the musical and human aspect of the town they (and the locals) love so well, an ease that transmits itself to a fine piano solo and at least three memorable guitar solos.

The evening concludes with Casey and the entire company performing "Thanks For Letting Me Crash", but one gets the feeling we should also be thanking them for letting us "crash" a hugely enjoyable evening that has deservedly become a fixture in Derry-Londonderry's cultural calendar.

Simon Fallaha