Review: Lisa Hannigan @ Róisín's

What should be a pre-Christmas celebration of Miss Hannigan's debut album and unveiling of material from her next begins disastrously. Lisa's got an illuminated toadstool onstage - I imagine it's her Winning Streak style lucky charm - but the damn thing won't light up. You just can't soundcheck a toadstool. Once it's lit, Lisa's happy and the band begin quietly but impressively with 'Pistachio'. 'Sea Sew' is such a beautiful record and tonight's set naturally draws heavily from it. On record 'Courting Blues' sits a little uneasily next to the whimsy of 'I Don't Know' or disarming beauty of 'Lille' but tonight it fits perfectly into a setlist that features a smattering of new songs from her next record. Strongest of these is 'Debut' which sparkles with the same giddiness that infects 'I Don't Know'.
Her backing band may resemble the Camembert Quartet but they offer the perfect accompaniment to these songs, vocally as well as instrumentally. There's a beautiful rendition of 'Lille' before the band retire from the stage. The briefest of pauses later, Hannigan returns to sing - a capella - what I assume is a traditional ballad. It's a stunning moment but the highlight of the night is saved until the closing track. I've always felt that the best cover versions bastardise the original in some way and tonight Hannigan and her band utterly nail (sorry) their version of 'Personal Jesus'. It's the first time tonight the band truly let loose - hell, even the roadie jumps on and helps with some chiming bells - but it's perfectly executed.