TLT, Drogheda

Swish and smart though it is, this isn’t the right kind of venue for Ham Sandwich. Most of the audience, too, are the wrong demographic and here to see Aslan, the headline act, perform their serious number of hits.

I overhear the couple in front admitting they had never heard of Ham Sandwich, and that wouldn’t it be nice if the “young wan” singing in the band got herself a proper hairdo. Lead singer Niamh Farrell might sport a hairdo resembling Veronica Lake (right profile) and a skinhead (left), but she looks as good as she sings, and she sings like an angel.

But what about Ham Sandwich? The Kells/Dublin band have been around for more than six years, and have released two very fine albums: Carry the Meek(2008) and last year's White Fox, which was inexplicably overlooked by the Choice Music Prize judging panel. Last year, just as White Foxwas being completed for release, their friend and manager Derek Nally suddenly died, a tragedy that cast a shadow for some months. That they are still around as a unit (the core of which are founder members Farrell and guitarist Podge McNamee) is testament to their commitment and self-belief.

You can sense this in their music, too. The brief set focused on White Fox, on which there isn't a weak track. Songs such as the title track, Ants(the latest single), Models, The Naturistand Oh-Ohmight not reinvent the wheel in indie-pop terms, but they are so innately melodic and clever that as you listen to them you understand why most other indie-pop you hear lacks personality.

Not even a short gig in the wrong venue can detract from the inherent nature of what’s on offer here: accessible, radio-friendly pop/rock with an edge of wit and a notable degree of charisma. At the end of the gig, Farrell – barefoot all through the set –­ picks up her black stilettos, neatly perched in front of her, and walks offstage. Another gig marked off. Another job nicely done.