Music
07 Oct 25

Live Report: HamsandwicH's Vicar Street Debut

HamsandwicH. Photo credit: Miguel Ruiz.

HamsandwicH take the stage for their first headline performance at Vicar Street.

Vicar Street becomes a safe haven for concertgoers tonight as the winds of Storm Amy roar outside. Dublin has been issued a status yellow warning for the evening, but the turnout suggests HamsandwicH’s fans couldn't care less.

The evening begins with a half hour opening set from fellow Kells band TURN, a 3-man group that built up a local fanbase during the 90s and early noughties, for their emotionally direct alt-rock ballads. Lead singer Oliver Cole announces his album wingspan was released earlier on Friday, sharing concerns over how the release might negatively affect the chart climb of Taylor Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl.

The space fills out during the opening act, with the floor reaching capacity as TURN receive their final round of applause. The audience is a mix of Gen X and millennials, with a sprinkling of Gen Z.

Minutes later a darkness falls over the room and the stage illuminates in colour. Melodies like a whale's cry circulate through the room as HamsandwicH slowly take the stage. Lead singer Niamh Farrell is dressed in a shimmering sequinned mini dress, while the rest of her band remains casual, staying true to themselves.

The band begins with their 2017 single ‘Bodies’. Blue strobe lights paint the faces of those in the crowd, who clap in unison while singing “how long are you gonna be in your body”. Farrell rests along the base of the stage and continues singing at eye level with the audience, finishing the performance with a leap back to her feet for an energetic finish.

The next track is ‘Nevertalk’, a song Farrell is clearly proud to sing as she beams across the stage. The band’s guitarist Podge McNamee joins in on vocals, offering a male side of the dialogue. His baritone voice compliments hers as the two harmonise. It’s cheeky and playful, before Farrell ends on a showstopping whistle note.

As the introduction to the next song plays the crowd cheers in excitement, it’s obvious that this is a familiar favourite - ‘White Fox’, the title track of their 2010 album. There is a visible energetic difference between HamsandwicH’s more recent work and their older classics. Their newer work seems to shift towards joyful pop, while their earlier discography boasts more folksy tunes.

A special mention is in order for their supporting band: two trumpets, a drummer and a keyboardist, with the trumpet players dictating the overall mood of the show.

Farrell pauses to take a breather towards the middle of the concert. She thanks the entire crew and crowd. “This has been a dream of ours for a long time and it’s lovely to be here,” says Farrell. “This is our first show here as a headlining band. Are ye all good?”

The crowd cheers in response.

“There won’t be any confetti tonight because she spent the whole budget on her outfit.” McNamee joins in, playfully referencing their tradition of blasting confetti into the crowd.

Towards the end of the gig, HamsandwicH said bye to their accompanying band, and the three original members Farrell, Mcnamee and guitarist Brian Darcy face the audience alone. The band’s lineup has changed through the years but these three have remained constant since 2003.

They play their 2015 tune ‘All Worthwhile”. Made for swaying, it feels almost like a lullaby. Farrell requests the audience join together to sing the final “ooohs” with her, as the lines between band and audience become blurred as thanks to the a capella choir.

After some thank yous to their managers and fans - some of whom travelled all the way from Arizona - it was time for their final song.

"Don’t boo alright? I'll meet each one of you outside for a fight if you do. who’s first?” jokes Farrell.

At times the audience feels as if the entire town of Kells had come to support. This crowd are dedicated and life-long, as if support for HamsandwicH’s music comes as an exchange of friendship.

“I see so many familiar faces in the crowd,” says McNamee. “I wanna congratulate one of our life-long fans, he just got a house and got married."

Their last song of the night is ‘Ants’, a folk-pop belter released in 2010 which has become one of, if not the band's most popular track, with over 2 million streams on Spotify.

The crowd joins in singing from the very first note. “Get your phones out!” commands Farrell, as sea of torches illuminate Vicar Street. The band are absolutely delighted. This is fun for them too, and you can see the nostalgia on their joyful faces.

As ‘Ants’ concludes, a dozen human-sized multi-coloured balloons are launched into the audience.

HamsandwicH takes their final bows, followed by a group picture, and the concertgoers accept their well deserved departure after a spiritual performance.