Lofty Reviews: Little Green Cars Live at the Big Top

Little Green Cars live in Limerick

A balmy summer evening and the Milk Market is again transformed into the innovative venue that is Limerick’s Big Top.

Kicking off proceedings is Cathy Davey a lady whose live appearances have been scarce in the past few years (save for her guest appearances in various guises at Electric Picnic) but she shows no sign of any rustiness as she keeps the early revellers entertained.

She kicks off with ‘Reuben’ and there are plenty of hits on offer along with a couple of new songs. What I’d forgotten about Davey is the dark undercurrent in many of her songs that’s hidden by the sweetness of her delivery – she even mentions that one of the songs is about killing someone and burying them in the forest and just to emphasis the point makes the fantastic ‘Mr. Kill’ one of the set highlights.

Although she worries about her gurning being to obvious in the setting sun there’s no doubt that Davey has the crowd in the palm of her hand delivering a glorious one-two of ‘Moving’ and ‘Sing For Your Supper’ to finish off her set promising a return with a new album later in the year.

Then its time for the main course and it’s brilliant to see the development of Little Green Cars since their very first appearance in the city. After two albums and endless touring they are very much the consummate live band with their playing matching the excellence of the wonderful harmonies that first brought them to the attention of the music world.

It’s a set that features a tracks from their latest album ‘Ephemera’ and although not all the crowd may not be familiar with all these new tunes the intensity of delivery by the band demands their attention.

‘The Song They Play Every Night’ and ‘Good Woman Do’ feature early in the set before we’re treated to a lovely piece of poetry by Stevie which goes someway to explaining their recent promo pictures (where they look less than happy) and then they launch into a brilliant rendition of ‘Harper Lee’.

Then its time for Kay O’Rourke to take centre stage, she might be understated in terms of stage presence but her voice is mesmerising and holds the crowd in thrall on the likes of ‘You vs Me’ and especially during the highlight of the entire evening ‘Ok Ok Ok’.

Stevie who takes the role of onstage MC recounts a profound story of some who they met on tour in the US who’s loss of a very close friend fills the song ‘The John Wayne’ with huge meaning and an emotionally charged performance.

Finishing the show with ‘My Love Took Me Down to the River to Silence Me’, ‘Easier Day’ and a brief but exemplary encore Little Green Cars bring their latest Limerick appearance to a close leaving many a happy face in the departing crowd.

Photo Credit – Munster Business

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