Cate’s Musings

I’ve always been one to see a band I’m into every chance I get, but it wasn’t until I started this blog that I realize just how much of a repeat viewer I am. And so here am, blogging for the second time about a Swell Season show; my first post is here. It explains who they are and what their background is. So if anything isn’t clear in this post, go and read that one.

Okay, so “Once” comes out on DVD on Dec. 18th; if you haven’ t seen it, rent it. And if The Swell Season comes to play in your town, go and see them. I caught them Saturday night at the Wiltern and it was really somethin’ else.

I’ve always been a fan of Irish musicians, especially when they meld traditional Irish folk with the rock’n'roll. The Waterboys, The Pogues – you get the idea. Inexplicably, I don’t own any Van Morrison. I don’t understand it myself – it makes no sense at all. Perhaps I should go download some. As I was saying: Irish music + rock’n'roll = I loves me some Swell Season. This show was less striped down than the last time they were in town because 3 members of Glen’s regular band, The Frames, were playing with them. Including the violin and cello players and nothing makes me happier than a stage with a violin player on it. When I take over the world, every band will have a violin player.

Getting back to the show: Glen’s between song banter was extremely winning. The guy’s got charisma coming out of his ears. The best story of the bunch was about a teenage girlfriend who was into the Cure while he was into AC/DC (they couldn’t be seen together in many places) but they found common ground with David Bowie. Even though he was into The Man who Sold the World Bowie and she was into Let’s Dance Bowie, it was common ground all the same. So anyhow, because she was a goth chick he got her a cemetary plot for Christmas one year. She was freaked out.

That story was the lead in for “Lay Me Down”, one of several Frames songs that were performed over the course of the evening. Marketa wasn’t even on stage for an extended portion of the show, and what with the guys from the Frames playing with them, it’s clear that the 2 groups are really just one big extended family. All the songs from “Once” sounded great and the real life romance that’s going on between Glen & Marketa is evident, even though he does all of the talking on stage. And I mean all the talking; I don’t think she said one single word other than ‘thanks’. But the chemistry you saw on screen is clear and they’re both terribly lovable people who play beautiful music.

Okay I’m done rambling. It was a great show. There are a few more pictures on my Flickr page if you wanna check them out.