Photos by Ty Hyten
The Scene: Ahead of the blizzard that wasn’t, fans braved the threat of fast-falling, blowing snow for an intimate night with Irish folk musician Glen Hansard at the historic Paramount Theatre. Seats were taken early and well dressed couples chatted over wine. The large collection of equipment on stage was an early indication that the solo artist was bringing more than a beard and a big heart.
Aoife O’Donovan: Brooklyn based Aoife O’Donovan opened the show acoustic guitar in hand. The Folk singer’s songs were beautiful and peaceful. Bluegrass and traditional Irish influences could be heard peeking through most of her melodies.
Glen Hansard: Glen Hansard has a career spanning twenty years, beginning with Irish band The Frames, evolving into one half of the duo The Swell Season – most recognizable for their contribution to the 2007 film Once – and he recently released his second solo album with this year’s Didn’t He Ramble.
I’ve always been a very casual listener of Hansard, throwing his albums on as background music based on an occasional recommendation or requests. So I did a fair amount of prep listening for Monday’s show, bringing me a bit more into the fold. But after Monday night’s show, you can consider me a true fan.
There’ll be no more runnin’ ‘round for me.
No more backing down, you’ll see
Whatever lies in store for me, I’ll get through it.
Glen Hansard appeared on the dark stage, singing “Grace Beneath the Pines” without a microphone to 1,600 or so seated fans. The drone of strings behind him gently filled the air. The intro to Hansard’s most recent album was also the intro to the evening. It was so intimate and so raw, with Hansard crying out in near agony “I’ll get through this” from the lip of the massive stage into the pitch black room.
Hansard could have come solo, powered solely by the strength of his lyrics and vocals, but instead he showed up with a full nine piece band behind him. Strings, horns, keys, all created depth and drama without overshadowing the man beating the hell out of his well-worn acoustic guitar at the front of the stage.
It didn’t take long to see why he had more than one guitar with a hole worn clean through the top, exposing the braces that once held a solid piece of wood. Hansard said was about to play a Van Morrison cover, and he proceeded to play a howling version of “Astral Weeks” played with such vigor that it snapped two strings and completely knocked the guitar out of tune. His guitar tech brought out a replacement, which he proceeded to do the same thing to.
Monday was a brilliant display of several tracks from the new album, including “Stay the Road,” dedicated to The Eagles of Death Metal, the band that was playing as the recent tragic terrorist attacks unfolded in Paris. He also introduced “McCormack’s Wall” by detailing a drunken night the began with grabbing tea with Irish singer Lisa O’Neill, that progressed to drinks, and resulted in heading out to the countryside and breaking into the onetime residence of long deceased Irish tenor, John McCormack. There the two had an intimate night of playing music, both lusting after one another despite their involvement in other relationships. The work of The Swell Season was represented as well, including “Back Broke,” a song he said he wrote from a very empty place, hungover at the famous Chelsea Hotel in New York.
Hansard moved back and forth from full band arrangements to guitar and piano pieces, and on multiple occasions he sang without a microphone to the crowd – a gimmick that was done well enough not be a gimmick. None more notable than when he ran through the audience during the encore, reappearing precariously seated on the edge of balcony, legs dangling. He spewed “Say It To Me Now,” at the top of his lungs with nothing more than the walls of the venue to aid the sound. This was followed by “Gold,” from Once, played in the same fashion. It’s the kind of thing that was a huge joy live, but just as much of a joy to share with other Glen Hansard fans when they ask how the show was.
Returning to the stage, he played “Falling Slowly” accompanied by the gorgeous vocals of Aoife O’Donovan. The two of them together was even better than Hansard and Marketa Irglova, dare I say it. After this high-water mark, the entirety of the band and Hansard joined arms to bow, but rather than bowing, they broke into song, singing a line from “The Auld Triangle” – once again without a microphone. The guitar tech and sound team each comically grabbed a few lines, as well. After disappearing and returning for a second encore, now five encore songs deep, the show ended with “Her Mercy.”
Glen Hansard is a truly talented songwriter, singer and performer. He succeeded in making a grand room feel intimate and his lyrics personal. His songs translated fantastically from album to stage and Hansard gave the crowd more than their money’s worth.
Energy: A+
Musicianship: A
Sound: A+
Stage Presence: A+
Set/Light Show: B+
Overall: A
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