Ok….order is officially restored. By order, I mean my soul. The Swell Season, blew my head off at The Hollywood Bowl. AH-MAH-ZING! Simple, no bells, no whistles, no gimmicky outfits, no set design, no projected images…just straight up good music exceptionally well performed. The line up was, The Bird & The Bee, She & Him and the aforementioned. We missed The Bird & The Bee, unfortunately. I like them, but have not had the opportunity to see them live, which as you know solidifies for me the future like or dislike of an act. But I heard they were good, and put on a good show. From the photos I saw, and the reviews I’ve read, they had sequins with their shenanigans, some choreography to boot, and had the goods to back it up. I did see She & Him. Zoey is beyond cute to look at, and M. Ward is undeniably talented. The band, who’s names I can’t share with you as, neither Zoey nor M. had the courtesy to introduce any member of the band. The Chapin Sisters sang back up for them and jumped up and down with Zoey on cue, they got a mention, but the musos…nah! Bad form, just bad f’ing form. However, I liked the music. It was fun, light-hearted and adequately presented. Zoey proved that she’s more than just an actress having a go at music, she has a cool sound to her voice, even though, she is still wrapping her chops around control of her dynamics. She sounded best when there was less sound to get above. She had a go at the rhodes and at the piano…it was clear that she can only play what she has rehearsed, but it was fine for this kind of show. Even though there was nothing raw about it, not edge of my seat moment, it was fun for the atmosphere and again, I genuinely enjoyed the music.
The Huffington Post’s article said it best “The first few opening bars of The Swell Season’s set made it clear that the children had been put to bed”. 100% agree. When Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova hit the stage, the first thing Glen did was introduce the band as they were strapped themselves in to their axes and toms. The crowd roared in approval and at that moment I knew I was not the only one to frown upon She & Him’s overt negligence. Glen then strapped himself in to his busted up acoustic that literally will soon be more holes than wood. He proceeded to play solo with Marketa straining to support him vocally. He sang so hard that I could feel myself being quickly converted to his religion. I was already a member of the congregation, but now I’m born again. O….M….G!!!!! I can understand the feeling of being placed on a stage like that with a full house, after struggling for soooo many years. His energy wreaked of gratitude and satisfaction. Marketa, as usual, played it cool and took it all her stride. She’s humble and solid. I do wish she’d dress just a little bit more….I realize it’s part of the charm, in a Rickie Lee Jones kind of way, that she can wear a cotton nothing sack and still rock the house, but just a little attention to personal style wouldn’t hurt….I mean…just a tad. But that’s just me. I know. I know. I complain when they do and complain when they don’t. Understand, it’s important to have the entire package to me. When the outfit is over compensating for lack of talent, it pisses me off. When the outfit understates the venue and the amount of talent, i get it, but just wish there was a little more.
Either way, this was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Glen’s performance especially. He brought tears to my eyes. He made me jump out of my seat. He made me speechless and submissive. This is a talent that can sing with so much raw power and emotion and then in an instant have the softest sound that still reverberates over the heads 14,000 people. His guitar takes a beating along with it…masterfully. He’s untouchable. He’s en fuego!
He talked about playing Santa Monica Promenade as a busker. I knew he had busked (hence the movie), but to see him in this light, and then imagine him as one of the nameless faces playing The Promenade just put it all in perspective. I guess it just goes to show. Never give up on your art. Do it for the love of it. Build and they will come, or perhaps, in this industry, they may come…they may not, but do it anyway. Thanks Swell Season, for restoring my soul. Just the basics, and some of the best sound I’ve ever heard.
You can read more, and see and hear more at The Huffington Post. Here. Enjoy!
Great review. Completamente de acuerdo ♥
I thought that was really interesting. Thanks for the unusual post. I’ll keep following this.Bob Perry, Work New York, 65 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
thanks Benjamin. I was sad to hear that just one week after this post, someone threw themselves from the lighting tower and committed suicide right on the stage next to Glenn. The Swell Season disbanded about a day or so later. You never know what is around the corner. Look forward to seeing you here again!