My friend Jacob invited me to see The Swell Season last week.  The Swell Season is a musical duo formed by Irish musician Glen Hansard and Czech singer and pianist Markéta Irglová. They made a name for themselves when they starred in and performed the soundtrack for the independent film, Once.

Anyway, the concert was possibly the most moving musical experience of my life. It trascended music and became more about life and the power of a story. Glen Hansard is a captivating showmen who kept my interest the whole time.

At first, Glen & Marketa came out, sat front & center on the stage, lowered the microphone and sang a beautiful tune. Then his former band, The Frames came out and joined them. Songs went from mellow, melodic pieces to driving rock songs with Glen screaming at the top of his lungs.

The best moment was when Glen told the story of an older woman he met in an elevator. The woman had lost her son in the 9/11 tragedy and hadn’t left her house in years. I won’t share the story, but Glen went on right a song about that encounter. He unplugged his guitar, step away from the mic and walked to the front of the stage. He began to sing and without amplification, his voice filled the auditorium. When he finished, the place was silent and I could sense that the hairs we’re standing up on everyone’s neck and not just mine.

The reason for my writing this, whether you’ve heard of them or not, is to tell you to go see them in your city. You won’t forget it. And don’t say that you’re too old for it… there were more grey hairs in there than any other shade, which surprised me.

Scott Hodge of The Orchard in Aurora, IL wrote a great review of the show here.