Little Green Cars at Whelan’s Dublin on March 18, 2016.

€23. Enough for a Ryanair flight to some of Europe’s less-travelled destinations. Perhaps an entire outfit from Penney’s if you’re thrifty enough. A reasonable cover charge for a Dublin city centre bar though? Not so much. Yet, on Friday night, it appeared many of those in attendance at Whelan’s were happy to pay exactly that. Of course, it was actually the price of a ticket to see one of Ireland’s most talented bands in Little Green Cars, but for most, the band’s presence was entirely superfluous to their evening of pints and idle chatter. A cover charge, it may as well have been.

We at GoldenPlec have broached the subject of people talking at gigs before; it’s something every music fan has experienced and bemoaned at some stage in their gig-going lives. Friday night, however, was the worst this writer has ever experienced. But who’s to blame? Little Green Cars didn’t make it easy for themselves. Leaving a 45-minute gap on a Friday night between support act Other Creatures and the headline show itself, which, somewhat mistakenly was opened with a quiet number from new album ‘Ephemera’, Brother, was their first mistake. Playing with a distinct lack of enthusiasm, one which screamed ‘I’m only here because I have to be’ was the second.

That said, though, can you blame a band for seemingly not giving a fuck when the majority of those in the crowd couldn’t give two? One ‘avid’ fan was enjoying herself so much that she whooped and hollered between each song, only, having her back to the stage for the entire show would lead you to believe that she was actually celebrating being able to hear her friends talk rather than expressing her appreciation for the skilled musicianship that was on show.

Clair de Lune, a ‘song named after another song’ as Stevie Appleby puts it, signals the beginning of the most engaging segment of the show. It’s followed by the song which started it all off for Little Green Cars in The John Wayne before Appleby exits the stage, leaving Faye O’Rourke to ask the crowd for silence so that she could perform a song she’d written at the age of 16, Ok Ok Ok. The crowd, for once, oblige. It’s the highlight of the evening as O’Rourke’s captivating vocals echo through the room and Little Green Cars finally have the crowd’s attention. However, it’s a short-lived respite. The third mistake makes sure of that.

Appleby rejoins the rest of the band on stage with a small leather-bound book in hand. ‘I’ve written a poem about the album and about tonight, I’m going to read it for you.’ The first stanza was barely complete before the crowd’s chatter began to surface again. The hard work of the last three songs which had clawed back some of the crowd’s attention was undone in one fell swoop. In fact, it became worse than ever. Halfway through My Love Took Me Down To The River, O’Rourke places her fingers in her mouth and whistles into the microphone, those who take notice observe her encouraging them to sing along, most proceed to ignore her pleas.

A powerful rendition of Easier Day closes off the main set and the band exit the stage. We could scarcely have blamed them if they didn’t return, and quite frankly, we’re not sure the majority of those in attendance would have noticed. However, return they do. An uneventful but pleasant three-song encore ensues, and Little Green Cars once again take their leave. This time for good. The record books will say both shows this weekend were sell-outs, quite the achievement. But, for Little Green Cars, who looked visibly shaken throughout, there’ll be no place on the mantlepiece for that particular honour.

Featured Image taken from Jameson St. Patrick’s Day Gig – March 16th, 2015.