Kimmel, Free Speech and Glen Hansard
- Cheryl Alterman | The Music Soup Editor
- Oct 8
- 4 min read
Irishman, singer songwriter Glen Hansard performs at the Masonic in San Francisco.
Two days prior to Hansards' San Francisco show, he said he was scheduled to appear on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. But it was temporarily cancelled due to the thin skinned orange felon who sits in the White House. Hence Hansard was bumped from being a guest that day. His intro included the Kimmel issue and he sang the song he was meant to perform for the Kimmel show. The bully scared the network into canceling the Kimmel show. But much to the delight of those people in this country that appreciate our right for free speech (all sides)...the people pushed back and stood up TOGETHER, and in a day or two Disney lost $4 billion dollars in subscriptions due to them taking the knee. So after losing customers because we resisted, Disney got up off the floor, bowing to the orange guy, and instead we stood up to him and we stopped it - together. Kimmel is back on the air - and our right to free speech is holding atm, With the overwhelming delight of most of the nation!
This song that he was introducing was called, "The Song of Good and Evil". It was from his 2012 album Rhythm and Repose. The chorus in this song ironically includes the lyrics, "Remember a time when we could say what we want. We could walk on the street and say what we want". The lyrics were reflecting on the changing nature of society. And although this song was written years before, sadly, the lyrics were so appropriate for these dark times that we are living through now.
This tour was called The Swell Season and Hansard toured with his four piece band including his co star from the film, "Once", Marketa Irglova. The film, "Once" where he and Irglova are best known from, came out in 2007. The song, "Falling Slowly" was a gorgeous ballad that came from that film.
Marketa Irglova is Hansards' pianist and vocalist and she has a stunning, almost haunting voice, and when she harmonizes with Hansard it gave me goosebumps 'twas so perfect.
I came across Glen Hansard only a year ago whilst shooting Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival 2024. Another photographer had told me that Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam whom I also love, 'discovered' him and Glen Hansard became a Pearl Jam opener for a time. I was walking to another stage at the festival, someone that knew me stopped me to talk and whilst we were talking Glen took the stage and as soon as he sang the first few chords - I immediately ran to his stage rather than in the other direction to catch an entirely different artist. I shot his set, and it was during the magic hour when the lighting was perfect.
He was also coming on to the magic mushroom trip he was on and the combination of the two was not only perfection from a photographers' POV with his spiritual energy through song, but as a music lover...Hansard had me in tears by the end of his set. I was standing with an Irish woman and she told me that he is massive in Ireland and she told me about about the film, "Once". I went home and watched it twice! Excellent! So when he was touring this year, needless to say...I HAD to cover this performance. And it was also stunning, just as I had expected!
I brought a friend to the Masonic gig. She was at another stage during his HSB 2024 set and didn't get to see him. She is also a musician and seemed to enjoy the show too, especially the song he played with his mandolin. He only played one on the mandolin.
For me...it was a perfect performance. A great mix of introductions, interactions with the audience and brillant music from all four musicians on that stage. If you like the tunes of Cat Stevens and Eddie Vedder as I do, you'll love Glen Hansard's music too.
The end was simply the icing on the cake. All four of them unplugged and stood at the very edge of the stage. Glen was holding an unplugged acoustic guitar and Marketa, a tambourine. The four of them sang a Leonard Cohen song, "Just Passing Through" and it was the absolute brilliant ending to a perfect show. If you have the opportunity, where ever you are on the planet to see this band, I highly suggest it, as I believe you will not be disappointed.
When Glen introduced the last song, he shared his experience of meeting lovely people along his journey. I end my articles with my favorite words I keep in mind on my journey... "Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, be kind to each other, and never regret anything that made you smile".... And last, but definitley not least...see live music - it keeps our brain firing + keeps us young!
With peace, love, art and music,
Cheryl ☮ ❤️🎵
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