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The Swell Season, May 20, Tower Theater
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The Swell Season, May 20, Tower Theater
The Swell Season, an act comprising Oscar winners Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova along with members of Hansard's band The Frames, made the final stop of their tour last night in Philadelphia, and they went out on a perfect note. Several of them, actually. Hansard and Irglova, who made audiences swoon with little-movie-that-could Once, brought along with them the very same magic that you see and hear in the film. Hansard opened the show solo with an acoustic version of "Say It To Me Now" and even without playing with a microphone, the power of his voice no doubt gave chills to the folks all the way through the last row.
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| Photo | Aly Semigran |
When the full band joined Hansard onstage, they launched a two-and-a-half hour set list that they kicked off with "Lies." The evening featured a mix of songs from Once, The Frames and even a couple of lovely covers, including a Van Morrison tune and "Pure Imagination" from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, which has never sounded more wondrous.
"Falling Slowly," the tune that won Hansard and Irglova the Academy Award for Best Original Song, was played in the middle of the set, a move that made it even more likeable. It would be too obvious to use it as a closer or encore. Instead, the track, which Hansard likened to kicking a ball not just into a goal, but rather all the way across the world (his explanations were, by and large, some of the most charming moments of the show) wasn't given preferential treatment, making room for their other equally beautiful songs.
"Star Star," "When Your Mind's Made Up," "If You Gotta Go, Go With Happiness" and "Fitzcarraldo," all highlights of the evening, managed to achieve something seemingly illogical — especially considering they were performed live. They're songs capable of breaking and mending your heart at the same time. Not aware of many other artists other than Glen and Marketa who can pull off that sort of thing.
Interference, the opening band for the evening, joined the Swell Season for "Gold," the song from the dinner party scene in Once. It was met with a standing ovation — just one of many on the evening. And they were rightly deserved. As you watch these performers, especially at this, their last show of a tour, you can't help but realize how much they love what they do. Their passion and honesty was apparent, and anyone who got to witness it received a gift of immeasurable wealth.
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