Saturday, May 3, 2008

The Swell Season


I saw these two live last night. It was a perfect concert. Perfect sans-annoying guy on his cell phone, yes his cell phone, front row during the concert--and his entire party, really. No lie, they were the most obnoxious people I've ever been in proximity with (and I teach teenagers, people).

And now for the "Are You Freaking Kidding Me?" moment of the evening:

Guido Annoying Guy #2 (to Glen Hansard): Dude, nice boots. I'll pay you 20 Euro for those boots.

Glen: T'anks (gotta get the Irish accent in there). I think I'll keep them, though.

Glen & Marketa begin playing

Guido Annoying Guy #1 (who happens to be standing DIRECTLY in front of the performer in the middle of a soft and quiet number): I'm at a concet. A concert--can't you hear it?

Sonia (in her "I'm gonna go Puerto Rican on you!" voice): You are being extremely rude. Turn off your cell phone. Now.

Fast forward to the next lull between songs.

Guido Annoying Guy #2: Really, dude, your boots. 50 Euro? 75 Euro?


It kind of went on like this the entire evening. Seriously, people. Seriously. What cave did you just crawl out of? This is NOT okay. I was embarrassed to be in their proximity.

Other than these two freaks of nature, however, it truly was a perfect performance. I have loved The Frames for a few years now, but when Once came out, I was in heaven. Marketa & Glen have this symbiotic musicianship between them. Flawless harmonies, true craft, and a chemistry on stage that made the room filled with that warm-hued glow that only good music and good people can create.

Here are a few pics from the evening:

Sonia & Shelby (I owe Sonia big time, the girl stood out in front of the venue for hours so that our General Admission tickets wouldn't suck. She delivered. We were front row-against the stage!)


Me & Janna


The Talented Mr. Hansard (sorry about the blur--unlike front row cell phone guy, I didn't want to be rude snapping flash pictures the entire time--so this is the best I could do--whatever though, the front row was, obviously, totally worth it!)


And the best part of the evening--I got a set list!


Check out this spot to hear some of their tunes and read up on the band.

6 comments:

Jen said...

I can't believe those Guidos. What is up with that. You wish you had a wet dish towel during moments like that.

Alice said...

How fun. I am so glad you guys had such a great time with Glen ;)

As for thsoe Guidos...some people's children! There are some real pieces of work out there.

Ashley said...

Sounds like a fun concert! I have never heard of them before.

I hate rude annoying people!

Isorski said...

What a bunch of tools! I don't think I could have kept it together with the boot bartering going on. Unreal.

I wish i had stuck around to try and meet them - nice work. I saw the show last Monday in Portland and posted a review on my blog at http://isorski.blogspot.com/2008/04/concert-review-swell-season.html.

Also, NPR ran an interview last week. If you go to NPR’s site at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90093038&sc=emaf, you can hear the interview. Check it out!

Mrs. Bennett said...

I love concerts at The Depot. My sister was there and loved it too.

Stine said...

I'm SO jealous. We tried to get tickets up here in Seattle when they were here, but they sold out in minutes. Darnit, this is such a great movie if you haven't seen it.