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AN EVENING WITH GLEN HANSARD With special guest Lisa O’Neill

THURSDAY 20 MARCH, 2014 CONCERT HALL, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

‘Glen Hansard is a gifted, emotive frontman who sings as if he must, with his heart on his sleeve that is constantly throbbing.’  THE NEW YORK TIMES

‘Fragile beauty, delivered with joy, grace, and a wounded wisdom.’ MAGNET

On Thursday 20 March, Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard will make his return to the Opera House, to play his first shows since touring with his band The Frames, in early 2013.

Regarded as one of the most unforgettable concerts of recent years, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting Hansard and co ‘turned the Concert Hall into a revival hall,’ these performances saw Hansard (and band) lead the audience, Pied Piper-like, out of the Concert Hall and into the foyers at the close of a marathon three-hour-plus performance.

Supported by compatriot Lisa O’Neill, the teaming of Hansard, Ireland’s favourite minstrel, and a favourite of Australian audiences, with O’Neill, one of the Emerald Isle’s rising new stars, will make for an unforgettable night of singing, storytelling and genuine musical passion on the Concert Hall stage.

Ben Marshall Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music said, “Glen Hansard’s career arc has been astounding – from street busker at 13, forming The Frames at 20 and appearing in The Commitments at 21 to the astonishing 2006/2007 double hit of The Swell Season record, and the film Once. It’s thrilling to watch his career keeping expanding and growing.”

“He absolutely blew us all away last year with his heartfelt showmanship, brilliant songs and amazing audience rapport. We could not be prouder to welcome Glen back to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage for one special performance as part of our summer Music at the House program.”

Much loved for his intense and inclusive performances, and his searing personal songs offset by a sharp sense of humour, Hansard is best known for The Swell Season, his collaboration with Czech artist Marketa Irglova. In 2007 they won an Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘Falling Slowly’, from the hit film Once. The film went on to receive a Broadway makeover, winning eight Tony awards, including Best Musical.

Hansard’s latest release, 2013’s Drive All Night, is a four-track EP produced by Joe Henry (Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello, Loudon Wainwright III) which features a cameo from Eddie Vedder, and a heartfelt cover of the Bruce Springsteen title track. A portion of proceeds from each record sold will also go to Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organisation that was a favourite of the late Clarence Clemons, the Boss’ saxophonist and sidekick.

Joining Hansard as support will be Irish singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill, who recently released her second LP, Same Cloth or Not, an album that has received critical acclaim. ‘O’Neill is real,’ stated Ireland’s The Herald. ‘Her songs poetry; her gift, of the ages. It’s possible she’s the most important artist out of Ireland for decades.’ The Ticket simply called it ’one of the most outstanding Irish albums of 2013.’

O’Neill first found her musical legs, supporting David Gray in the USA in 2009, subsequently recording her first solo record, Has An Album. With the endorsement of folk-singing legend Peggy Seeger, O’Neill soon found herself touring with Glen Hansard for the first time.

Channelling everyone from Bob Dylan — an early live favourite of O’Neill’s was called ‘Song to Bobby D’ — to Ireland’s many great singer / strummers, O’Neill’s latest album inspired the Irish Times to praise her music’s ‘true sense of place, real sense of tradition and utter lack of pretension.’

 

WHAT: An Evening with Glen Hansard with special guest Lisa O’Neill
WHEN: 9pm, Thursday 20 March, 2014
WHERE: Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
TICKETS: From $49 + bf sydneyoperahouse.com/music / 02 9250 7777