Magic of The Swell Season

Had the wonderful privilege of seeing The Swell Season in concert with Amanda a few days ago at the  Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.  In case you’re not familiar with TSS, they are made up of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Film, Once) along with Hansard’s longtime band, The Frames. 

I could go on and on about the show, but let me just sum it up by saying that it was one of the best live  performances I have ever been to.  Seriously.  It was amazing.  In a way....almost magical.

Why?  Well here's a few things I was reminded of during the performance that may answer that.

People don’t want to simply hear the music; they want to feel it too.

I don’t even know why, but there was something really amazing about experiencing Glen Hansard standing at the edge of the stage, off-mic, singing....screaming....almost crying....from the depths of his soul. It was.....just wow.  You felt his journey.  His pain.  His joy.  His struggle.  And....his redemption.  It was beautiful. 

People love the unexpected.

Loved how Glen (in his “Where’s Waldo?” hat) and Marketa opened the show by sitting on the floor with an acoustic guitar and a cheap Casio keyboard performing the song, “Fallen From The Sky.”  Totally unexpected.  And everyone loved it.

Everybody loves a good story.

Glen is a great story teller.  He includes details that seem unnecessary until you realize that you've fallen in love with the character because of those details.  I’m 100% convinced that people love a good story.  Partly because we see ourselves in most of them. 

People want to participate. 

But you have to ask them to.  Bottom line is that people need to be led.  I think every church worship leader needs to see Glen Hansard perform.  He leads people well by performing with a ton of authenticity and by bringing depth to his audience. 

 Ireland has brought some pretty good stuff to our world.

Guinness, The Swell Season, The Commitments, The Cranberries, The Frames, Snow Patrol, Damien Rice, and of course....U2.

Go listen to The Swell Season.  See them in concert if you can.  I know I will.  Again.  And again.

Comments

[Evan Courtney]

Someone off stage twitpic'd at the Chicago show.
http://twitpic.com/s4i8i

[Nathanael]

I'm writing out more of my stories as of late, if you want to read one of them, I provided a link:

http://nvphotography.xanga.com/717816246/57-gigabites-of-memoriesdeleted-a-message-of-hope/

~Nathanael

[Connormcc]

I love the Swell Season, and The Frames... Hansard is more than just a singer, he is a full performer... and a great Story teller

[emma]

Well, Ireland has come up with some pretty awesome people...! I'm a tad jealous of those Swell Season tickets, I left the States a couple of days before that tour started.

[Tommy Bowman]

Couldn't agree more. Unbelievable show! Reviewed it here: http://neverlandfabric.com/2009/12/review-the-swell-season/

[Randy]

"Ireland has brought some pretty good stuff to our world...
Guinness"

Wow! I'm not that old, but I can remember how legalistic, pietistic Assembly of God preachers in the the olden days (10-20 years ago) railed against playing cards, drinking, dancing, and going to the movies. Now you can mention Guinness beer as something good from Ireland.

To quote the old cigarette ad, "you've come a long way baby."

[chris kretzu]

i haven't been able to get enough of them lately.

wish i could see them!