If I Could Make You Care

I’ve heard music and seen films and somehow felt less alone, if we can do that for someone else, then that’s cool in my books

- Euan Manning, Cardinals

This special Thursday night gig took place in Bello Bar, an intimate and remote venue fronted by an “old man’s” pub. As you stepped inside and discovered the downstairs area, it was soon filled with hipster rockers sitting on the couches who continuously fled in and out to the smoking area.

We almost missed the support, Echo Northstar, landing in at the very end of their set. They added a mellow and vibrant start to the night with their eerie and energetic melodies. They generated a level of intimacy which can be seen throughout both acts.

Cardinals are a 5-piece band hailing from Cork, Ireland, and have been on the scene for quite some time now. Their impressive sound of mixing rock and traditional Irish folk alongside heartfelt lyrics makes them incomparable.

Their set included most of the songs from their self-titled EP, our favourite one being ‘If I Could Make You Care’, alongside some new and old tracks. Their set quickly passed with us as we were boogying the night away, but it left us with a question of “why does no one boogie anymore”?? Maybe it was the intimacy of Bello Bar or Cardinals’ bashfulness that rubbed off on the audience, but we should bring back the fun boogie at gigs!

If you haven’t got a chance to see them yet, you’re missing out, but in the meantime you can listen to them on Spotify and get lost in their lyrics and melody.