Emmanuel Jal was famously invited to Britain to perform for Live 8. He came thinking he would be part of the main show at Hyde Park, televised to millions.

When he arrived, he found he and other African performers had been sidelined to an event at the Eden Project in Cornwall with just 5,000 attendees.

Since then, Jal has proved how wrong Bob Geldof was to think he didn't have mass appeal.

He has released his debut album in the UK, where he is touring major cities, and Ridley Scott is making a film of his life. At this gig, he was by far the most vivacious act with the best audience rapport.

All the performers were impressive. But Jal was better at getting his listeners to join in by singing along, attempting a "shake your leg" dance and learning tongue-in-cheek hip hop dance tips: "It's easy, all you have to do is move your head and sometimes you jump."

The Sudanese rapper, who was a child soldier with a rebel militia, sang about yearning for peace among different peoples.

He said one song was about the beauty of a smile or a kind word, based on the experience of a friend who had decided to kill himself but changed his mind because, that day, a girl at school took the time to talk to him.

Jal lives up to all the hype surrounding his music. It was just a shame his set seemed to be the shortest of all.

The bill began with Algerian singer-guitarist Souad Massi, who fused a traditional Arabic sound with folk vibes and Spanish guitar. A charismatic presence, she also duetted with one of her band, an older Arabic man with an enchanting and powerful voice.

Last were Malian singers Amadou and Mariam, whose upbeat, lively sound had the whole room moving.

This is the second year of this tour showcasing African music.

In Brighton, it again drew an audience of all ages from the three-year-old on his dad's shoulders to those in their 70s and beyond. Hopefully, its continued success will encourage other promoters to follow its lead.