It’s more than 900 miles between Belfast and Prague, but it’s a journey well worth making to witness an artist of Glen Hansard’s quality performing at the peak of his musical and communicative powers.
The beautiful grand old venue, hidden two stories beneath the streets of Prague, lends the evening an air of mystique and grandeur that perfectly suits such a sumptuous night of music.
Glen’s connection with Prague and the Czech Republic is well documented through his Oscar-winning collaboration with Czech musician Markéta Irglová and their work together as The Swell Season. The affection is clearly mutual. Eight hours before doors open, fans are already queuing outside the venue.
Hansard may be preaching to the converted tonight, but there is absolutely no compromise in either his energy or his commitment to deliver.
Over the years, I’ve seen Glen perform in Belfast, Derry, Dublin and now Prague, and one constant remains: his determination to give every ounce of himself to his audience.
Tonight’s set covers every corner of his remarkable catalogue, from The Frames and The Swell Season to his solo work, alongside a handful of beautifully chosen covers.
Opening the evening is the wonderful Courtney Marie Andrews, an artist I’ve championed ever since her deeply moving Honest Life album first appeared almost a decade ago.
It feels as though Hansard personally asked who the finest singer-songwriter available to support him might be.
Andrews delivers magnificently with a half-hour set filled with sharply observed meditations on love in all its forms.
And the voice.
It’s as if one of the angel statues from Prague’s nearby Charles Bridge had stepped down from its pedestal and decided to sing.
Songs from her excellent recent album Valentine feature heavily. “Pendulum Swings” and “Coins and Clowns” continue her melodic exploration of love in all its contradictions.
“Irene”, her anthem for the lost and weary, remains utterly beguiling:
“Sometimes good people draw troublesome things.”
Her voice echoes around the magnificent venue, offering consolation and warmth to anyone carrying difficult burdens.
Worth the price of admission, and perhaps even the airfare, alone.
At exactly 9pm, Glen Hansard hits the stage.
And I mean hits.
The Frames favourite “Revelate” immediately ignites the crowd. For the next two hours, the underground hall pulses with melodic intensity and emotional release. Second up, “Don’t Settle” lays down the night’s manifesto: anything less than total commitment simply won’t do.
The concert surges with emotion, with declarations both whispered and roared about life, love, struggle and endurance.
There is so much to admire.
A magnificent rendition of “My Little Ruin” becomes one of the evening’s emotional high points. A song written in support of a friend in need transforms into a rallying cry for everyone carrying wounds of their own. That spirit of humanity and solidarity runs through the entire performance in a way very few artists can genuinely replicate.
The crowd becomes almost feverishly engaged, the atmosphere building toward an intensity more often associated with political rallies than concerts.
“But I’m not gonna stand aside and let them tear you up No, I’m not ’Cause you’re better than they are And I can’t say it enough.”
The last time I saw Hansard he was accompanied by a brass section in Belfast’s Ulster Hall. Tonight, the musical alchemist shifts direction again with a fuller, more forceful sound that loses none of its emotional power.
‘Didn’t he ramble’, ‘Grace beneath the pines’ and the emotive ‘Her mercy now’, are all delivered with power and grace. It is impossible not to be caught up in the moment. Magical.
A solo rendition of ‘The foggy dew’, delivered from the stage apron, adds another layer to the evening. In between songs there are stories of their creation, a debate on who is the best company, Punks or heavy metalers(Glen sides with Heavy metal fans, who are better craic!)
He berated the use of the Tricolour by a fan, stating that the flag has been stolen by the far right. Not sure if the Czech audience fully understood the political nuances of the comments, but for many, the remarks were right on target.
A sublime version of the classic ‘Falling Slowly’ found Glen’s voice redundant, as the crowd sweetly took over the lilting melody and refrain.
Glen brought Courtney Marie Andrews back, with a wonderful glowing tribute, and handed her the stage, (Glen standing to side adding very quiet backing vocals) as the American songstress’s voice again taking flight with a beguiling ‘Let a good one go’.
I’ve never seen a headline act, give the stage to a support act in such a manner, and it speaks to the true nature and grace of the man himself.
With the last notes of ‘Bird of sorrow’ the crowd make their way up, and out into the stillness of the Prague night.
If you’re making a bucket list, visit the beautiful city of Prague.
If it’s a quality list, see Glen Hansard live wherever you possibly can.
‘Don’t settle’ for less!