Ham Sandwich, Cosby Stage

Ham Sandwich, Cosby Stage

“She looks pretty cool.” A crowd member is appreciating Ham Sandwich’s front woman Niamh who looks like she’s just walked off a McQueen catwalk.

But who cares what anyone looks like when her voice and the accompanying music sounds so good.

Ham Sandwich are the Buckfast of Irish festivals; energetic, dirty, a good idea at the time, best enjoyed with friends, sweetly shambolic, and ultimately wholly satisfying.

A furiously dancing trumpet player, Mister Brian, and a string section belt out an inspired cover of I Feel Love. Words, The Naturist burst through the crowd's clapping hands before the whole place descends into a confetti canon and beach ball-punching party while guitarist and singer Podge crowdsurfs. A sincere and unpretentious connection that the audience laps up.

Verdict: *****