Walking out on stage alone, Glen Hansard had a surprise for the enthusiastic crowd. Some of his “mates” from the group Bell X1 were in Columbus on the same night. Two members hopped in a cab and came down to The Palace to do a couple of songs before The Swell Season took the stage.
Songs from Sundance Favorite “Once”
Hansard came back out and stood all the way in front, away from the microphone. Reminiscent of the opening scene in the Sundance-winning film “Once” that made him and his songwriting partner household names, he began singing “Say it to Me Now,” accompanied only by his guitar.
Riding on that wave, Marketa Irglova and members of The Frames filed on stage and broke into a lovely rendition of “Falling Slowly,” with Irglova behind the piano. Many of the audience sang along quietly on the chorus, “take this sinking boat and point it home, we’ve still got time.”
Paying Tribute to Van Morrison
Hansard is a phenomenal showman. His stories were witty and garnered many laughs throughout the night. At one point, everyone left the stage except Hansard. He performed a few originals along with an emotional version of Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks.” For all the ways Hansard stretches his vocal chords in singing and screaming, it’s a wonder that he can even speak and tell stories.
Colm Mac Con Iomarie’s Solo
The Frames, Hansard’s band of 18 years backed this new project of his with excellence. Colm Mac Con Iomarie, the violinist was a great addition Swell Season’s songs. Hansard turned the show over to Mac Con Iomarie to perform an original tune that wove two melodies together through live performance and a pre-recorded loop.
Irglova’s Turn
Irglova took center stage during the two songs from Once, “If You Want Me” and “The Hill.” Her vocal quality was quiet and soulful and conveyed the emotions of the lyrics. She also shared a new song “I Loved You Wrong.”
Black Sabbath?
For a bit of a diversion, The Frames broke into some Black Sabbath. Hansard explained that the drummer, John Boyle, needed that every so often -- playing that folk rock just doesn’t cut it all the time, and he begins kicking things back stage.
To finish out the night, they played The Frames tune, “People Get Ready.” Hansard had the audience sing along with the chorus ” “We have all the time in the world to get in it right, to get it right. And we have all the love in the world, to set alight, to set alight.” A fitting end for an uplifting show.
