Glen Hansard @ LA's The Regent Theater

By Jessica Klausing

Glen Hansard photo by Courtney Lavender.

CONCERT REVIEW featured on Order In The Sound.

After over a full year of no live music due to the pandemic, Glen Hansard and friends were determined to make up for lost time at the Los Angeles Regent Theater.

The artist known as We/Or/Me kicked off the night with a beautiful collection of acoustic folk songs as well as some witty insightful humor. He joked that the masked audience looked like “some kind of dystopian nightmare,” but in all seriousness, he was extremely thankful for everyone coming out and keeping each other safe. One thing was for sure, Bahhaj Taherzadeh had the audience completely captivated. It’s rare to find an entire audience actively listening in respectfully to opening acts, but as soon as he strummed right into “The Dusty Roads,” a solemn tale of traveling and leaving loved ones behind, everyone watched silently, mouths open agape. With “Old Joy,” everyone was singing along to the chorus, “Sorrow is just old joy, they say/Sorrow is just old joy/Old joy that’s lost its way.” Check him out on Bandcamp. You won’t regret it!

Glen Hansard took the stage to a thunderous applause and deafening cheers. It was very evident that Los Angeles had missed the Oscar award winning Irish singer songwriter. With a humble head bow, he waited patiently for the audience to settle down before opening with, “The Moon” on an acoustic guitar. Hansard has such an impeccable way of commanding the attention in a room. He can a hold a powerful crescendo that soars above the heavens while simultaneously strumming the hell out of a guitar without breaking a string. Incredible.

Setting down the acoustic guitar in favor of the piano, he crooned right into “Fool’s Game,” another crowd pleaser. Hansard was smiling all night long, alternating between guitar and piano. He kept thanking the crowd and with an Irish accent as comforting as a nice pint at the local pub, he professed how “grand it was to be touring again!” Everyone was in good spirits. From playful heckles to singing and clapping along to the beat, it was indeed a glorious night to celebrate the return of live music.

Hearing “When Your Mind’s Made Up” from the Once soundtrack was a real treat. I was introduced to Glen Hansard’s music through that movie and have been hooked ever since. As truly beautiful as Hansard sounds on recording, he is far by more powerful in a live setting. During “I’ll Be You, Be Me,” the audience was belting out the chorus and stomping their feet along with him. The stomping became so loud and frantic, I was concerned the balcony was about to come crashing down! Thankfully, it didn’t!

From left to right: Danny Clinch, Andy Kaulkin and Glen Hansard. Photo by Courtney Lavender.

Hansard had a few tricks up his sleeve that night inviting his friends, Anti- Records founder Andy Kaulkin and Rock n’ Roll photographer Danny Clinch up on stage for a few songs. Kaulkin graced us with his superb piano skills and gruff Tom Waits-esque singing voice for “Her Mercy.” Clinch joined in on harmonica for a spirited bluesy rendition of “Way Back in The Way Back When.” Kaulkin and Clinch remained onstage, playing alongside Hansard for “Wedding Ring” and “Corrina Corrina.”

“Bird Of Sorrow” deserves special recognition. All of Hansard’s songs are heartwarming tales of one’s inner struggles, but this song in particular hits like a ton of bricks. I saw more people get teary eyed during this song than the others. Hansard sings, “You’ve been kneeling in the dark for far too long/ You’ve been waiting for that spark, but it hasn’t come/ Well I’m calling to you please, get off the floor/ A good heart will find you again/ A good heart will find you, just be ready then.” With such sincerity in his voice, it really felt like he was comforting us as if we were his old friends.

Glen Hansard and Courtney Lavender photo by A. Marcel.

Another surprise came when Hansard invited his friend, Courtney Lavender of Xs & ARROWs up onstage to perform. Xs & ARROWs recently released their new EP, Awoken By Owls. Lavender picked up an acoustic guitar and played “Call You Home,” a delicate traveler’s tune from the EP. She described the song as “home doesn’t have to be a place, it can be a person, or a song, or a gathering, like this one.” How right she was. With all the love and positive energy buzzing around The Regent, who wanted to leave this little oasis? Of course, all good things must come to an end. After the final strum of “This Gift,” Los Angeles was not ready to say goodbye and demanded an encore, which Hansard happily obliged.

Returning to the stage, he ended the night with “Rocky Road to Dublin.” He sung it beautifully, a capella, and then closed out with the gentler “Leave a Light” from the album, The Wild Willing. Glen Hansard is one of the best live artists I have seen. He truly delivers on all fronts with brilliant storytelling and a whole lot of heart.

SETLIST:
The Moon
Fool’s Game
My Little Ruin
High Hope
As You Did Before
When Your Mind’s Made Up
I’ll Be You, Be Me
Time Will Be The Healer
Wreckless Heart
Her Mercy
Way Back In The Way Back When
Wedding Ring
Corrina Corrina
Astral Weeks
Grace Beneath The Pines
Bird Of Sorrow
Revelate
Star Star
Nathaniel
Call You Home
Stay The Road
Tender Mercies
This Gift

ENCORE:
Rocky Road To Dublin
Leave A Light