Egan leaves us on a high after fond farewell

It's also his drummer's last gig before leaving for New York, so you can understand if there's a hint of sadness in the air.

It probably explains why a number of local musicians have turned out to wave him off, and why David Kitt jumps on stage to lend a hand or two on bass. This is the end of an era -- and it certainly feels like it.

Then again, we are talking about the man who recently walked away with his second Choice Music Prize. This isn't just a farewell gig -- it's a jam-packed, sweat-soaked celebration.

Though lacking somewhat in the height department, Egan has always been something of a commanding showman; never too shy, yet rarely overconfident. Hundreds could be watching, maybe even thousands, but he just gets lost in the sound of his own beat.

And it's a wonderful thing to see. Almost as wonderful as the actual tunes that this talented Dubliner regularly churns out.

The ever-reliable Floating continues to flourish, thanks in part to Egan and his band's insistence on giving the track a superb, electro-heavy makeover. Scorpio -- with its jittery groove and crowd-pleasing chant -- goes down a treat, as does the excellent I Was a Man.

Returning for an encore, Egan and the gang break out the bottle of bubbly. There's a struggle when it comes to actually opening it, but a sweet rendition of Strike Me Down more than makes up for that. So long, Richie -- don't be a stranger. HHHHI