The Swell Season: A Review

Two solid years after their movie, Once, made them America’s favorite Irish sweethearts, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová still have the ability to make an entire room stand still.

Playing live in the Auditorium Theatre to nearly 4,000 people Hansard, Irglová and the band members from Hansard’s old group, The Frames have now all combined to comprise The Swell Season, and what a great collaboration it is. Playing for more than two hours and coming out for three encores for a total of 22 songs, The Swell Season covered nearly the entire new album, the full soundtrack from Once and a few classics from The Frames.

It was apparent that this is what Glen Hansard was made to do. His joy filled the entire theatre and at no point did the show feel produced. Numerous times he required the audience to sing along, even separating the audience to create harmonies to achieve the backup he wanted. And, despite Hansard and Irglová’s relational split earlier this year, their musical chemistry didn’t suffer for a minute. Hansard’s outgoing, chatty personality contrasted with Irglová’s reserved, introverted personality made for a great balance and intriguing push and pull as they rotated between piano and lead guitar all night.

A few highlights of the evening:

• Hansard and Irglová opening with “The Moon” by themselves, sitting on a blanket in the middle of on an empty stage
• Hansard moving to the very front of the stage by himself to belt out “Say It To Me Now” completely unamplified
• Hansard led, Chicago-born guitarist Rob Bochnik guitar assisted, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” with a full audience sing-along

Another unexpected treat (because I failed to do my research beforehand) was Rachael Yamagata, an entertaining and endearing opening act. Playing a short set including this and this while interspersing personal stories, making the songs that much more powerful.

Popularity: 4% [?]