First off, The Birchmere is a great venue. They have the entire process of having a couple drinks, getting some dinner, and seeing a show down to a finely run piece of machinery. It only seats about 500 in the Music (dining) Hall, so even the back seats are good.
A couple friends and I went to see Sinead O'Connor as an opportunity to see her having missed her in her earlier years. The show was awesome. She was sincere, delightful, played a great set of songs which included stuff from just about all albums in her 25-year career. She totally rocked it out. It was one of the best live shows I have seen. She just sang her heart out and told her stories with a great bunch of friendly band mates.