Glen Hansard is like one of those mythical Irish folklore beings.
Except… he is much better, because he’s from Ballymun LOL.
A first for me as I have never had the chance to see him live. I have been a fan of Glen since first seeing him in The Commitments, and have always enjoyed listening to The Frames. On top of all that, his Oscar winning movie ‘Once’ was such a heart warming film that stayed with me for quite some time. So when I was asked to cover his gig in the Iveagh Gardens, I felt such an excitement within me, knowing I was going to have this legend in front of my lens.
And he certainly did not let me down. So much emotion was protruding from Glen. You could see it in his face when he squeezed out each lyric, that it was coming from a place of pure passion and love. And his music is just so mesmerising, heartbreaking and intimate.
Rumour has it that he was spotted in Whelan’s later that night having a few pints of porter and chatting with the locals straight after the gig.
I won’t be missing my chance to see him next time he’s in town, I can guarantee you that.
Kicking off the night was Josh O Keefe with his beautiful folk music which almost brought you back a couple of years. I couldnt stop thinking about George Clooney’s film ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The Soggy Bottom Boys came to mind when listening to his tunes. And sure who doesn’t love the oul Soggy B Boyz. And when he brought out Corra O Keefe, it was reminiscent of The Whites Stripes tune ‘Well its true that we love one another”. A beautiful performance, and truly an artist to keep an eye on.
Josh O Keefe photos:
Glen Hansard photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Looking for Someone (Interference cover)
Sure As The Rain
Between Us There Is Music
The Feast of St. John
Down On Our Knees
Time Will Be the Healer
My Little Ruin
Ghost
Fitzcarraldo (The Frames song)
Don’t Settle
Revelate (The Frames song)
Falling Slowly (The Swell Season song)
American Townland (Interference cover)
Say It to Me Now (The Frames song)
Gold (Interference cover)
Drive All Night (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Young Hearts Run Free (Candi Staton cover)
Her Mercy
This Gift
The Moon (The Swell Season song)
Words & Photos Carl Foran – @carlforanphotography