Review of Ham Sandwich at The Village on New Years Eve 2011
Photos: Kieran Frost
Review: Deirdre Harrison
The newly refurbished Village played host to the wonderful Ham Sandwich as part of the venue’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. A band known for their on stage antics, costumes and confetti cannons, you’d struggle to find a more fitting band to celebrate ringing in the New Year with. Combined with the support from very promising rising act, The Riot Tapes, the Village was most definitely the place to be.
Before the headliners took to the stage, the large crowd was shown a slide show summing up the year 2011; with references from everything from the Queen, to Amy Winehouse, from David Norris, to Jedward. You never know what to expect from a Ham Sandwich gig, and tonight was no exception. Actually, what might be more fitting is, “You never know quite what to expect Podge to wear at a Ham Sandwich gig.” The impeccably dressed guitarist/singer certainly did not disappoint tonight sporting a fabulous pair of metallic blue wet look leggings teamed with a rather spiffing silver cape. An honourable mention should also go to drummer Ollie, not to be outdone in the fashion stakes; he wore a rather magnificent pair of silver skinny jeans.
With a set list nicely balanced between material from latest album, White Fox, as well as debut Carry The Meek, there was plenty of opportunities for sing-alongs from the delighted crowd. With their outlandish attire and love of confetti cannons, it would be easy to dismiss Ham Sandwich as a bit of a joke; on seeing their live performance this couldn’t be further from the truth. With lead singer, Niamh’s sweet vocals, tender lyrics, stunning harmonies and catchy hooks, they are every inch true musicians; they just happen to like to add a touch of fun to live performances.
As time came for the obligatory countdown to midnight, the band retreated backstage only to return with large confetti balloons and champagne. Using the Countdown theme to count through the final seconds of the year (a stroke of genius frankly), those of us near the front were then soaked in champagne in a Formula One fashion before glasses were passed around for celebration.
Joining the band for Ants was special guest, Muireann O’Connell from Phantom FM. Just before Christmas the station held a special fundraising day for the Simon Community leading to many of the presenters taking up unfortunate challenges. Muireann seems to have gotten off lightly; all she had to do was play some tambourine. To her credit, it was one of the best tambourine performances The Village has ever seen.
Having covered Kate Bush and Goldfrapp in the past, tonight Ham Sandwich gave their best effort to LCD Soundsystem’s All My Friends, before finishing the night with fan favourite Never Talk, complete with stage invasion. Grabbing the microphone, a fan joined Niamh in finishing off the song and did quite a good job it has to be said.
The crowd continued to dance the night away until the early hours, in what was a fantastic way to begin 2012. There may have been a big night out in College Green, but the real party was at The Village this New Year’s Eve.
Intro
Oh-Oh
The Fog
White Fox
St Christopher
Long Distance
Click-Click Boom!
Keepsake
Models
Words
The Naturist
Ants
All My Friends
Never Talk
