The Swell Season Tickets

The Swell Season played the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park on the 22nd. It was a beautiful night with a few stars even putting in an appearance in the sky that didn't manage to rival the stars on stage. Black Francis really rocked with his opening performance and many familiar with his music were really getting into it. I was loving listening to the lyrics. It was colossally loud during this segment of the show. The Swell Season were fantastic as always. I was thrilled to see the violinist Colm back touring with the band and he was in great form with his "band of gypsies". Glen (Hansard) of course made the night more memorable by inviting a huge crowd of people on stage to sit with him and be closer to the action.He also invited everyone to move up! Noone can say he has no charisma! Of course the party poopers venue employees insisted everyone leave the stage after a few songs due to insurance concerns. (they didn't say this out loud just went over and whispered to Glen) He was a great sport about it and I think all those people were thrilled to have been up there at all. I myself had great seats and did get to move up to even better centre seats. I loved the concert. They sang many favourites from the Once soundtrack and also from their latest Strict Joy. After everyone from the band was available to meet and greet by their tour bus. Glen and Mar are great at this. AT one point during the show there was a problem with the piano and Glen asked the sound guy to mute it and in a minute or so Mar walked off stage. The audience was all worried but Glen assured us she was joking and not upset. She came back on quickly and smiling. I have never seen a prank by Mar before. Glen did sing a song solo with only acoustic guitar at the edge of the stage and his powerful voice rang out strongly and beautifully to all the people , trees, spirits and maybe to some nearby sea creatures as we were right beside the ocean. Mar(keta Irglova) sang Fantasy Man and I Have Loved you wrong and they were so beautiful. She spoke to the audience and has a very different style of telling stories than Glen does. It is a lovely contrast. Colm also did a solo from his CD I am afraid I forget the name but it was gorgeous. I have the CD and would highly recommend it!!Glen told a story about his childhood and was charming funny and talented as always. So it was better than a ten basically! Off the charts for me. I loved the setting and the openness of the whole night. After I spoke to almost every band member and they were all gracious and kind. I really admire their way with their fans and their "the show must go on" dependability. I sense that they haVE RESPECT AND A GREAT APPRECIATION FOR THEIR FANS, ONE AND ALL. ONE TINY POINT WS THAT THE SECURITY VENUE GUYS (didn't mean to go caps) shooed people out way too fast. People were being handed souvenirs from the stage and the guys were asking everyone to leave while this interaction was still going on. They were polite enough about it BUT they didn't seem to feel the spirit of the night. They really should have given all the folks a few more minutes. Overall It was a fantastic and memorablre night of beautiful music under the stars.

Not really sure who Swell Season is, either way I left after Black Francis, who was as always amazing! High point was the opener "Bullet" as well as "Abstract Plane" & a really cool slowed down version of the Pixies' "Nimrod's Son". The only complaint I have is the audience, what a bunch of wet noodles, PEOPLE, you are witnessing a genius & one of the greatest song writers in rock history, take your fingers out of your ears! I look forward to seeing BF again really soon, either solo or with the Pixies, as far as this show, to me it was kind of like the Rolling Stones opening for Maroon 5........Odd.

This experience was the best live concert I have ever seen. The weather ended up being perfect; however, the weather was not what impressed. The Swell Season, Mar and Glen, were absolutely amazing. Their stage performance was noteworthy, full of humour and all members of the band were included. The acustics were awesome and the opening act was great as well. Overall, I can't wait for The Swell Season to come back to Canada. Ps. I was able to meet both Mar and Glen after the show and they signed my movie case (ONCE) and my cd case (The Swell Season - Strict Joy)

That was totally awesome!! If you like "once" you should go the concert.

I thought that Swell Season did a FANTASTIC job last night! They sounded better live then on their album which is saying a lot! I could have done without Black Francis though. I personally wouldn't recommend them...ever.

This was an amazing show! It was the second time seeing them, they play amazing music and Glen is pretty funny with his audience interactions.

Glen at the helm is just so natural, he's great at bringing the audience into the experience, like cracking jokes and welcoming people on stage. As the stage at Malkin Bowl is pretty far from the seats, Glen invited everyone to come closer which many people did for a more intimate performance. That unfortunately only lasted one song before the insurance/event police told everyone to get back to their seats. Both Glen and Marketa's vocals were superb as expected! I'm a fan again - after first noticing them when the film "Once" was released!

Yes, it was an incredible concert. Despite a terrible opening act - I'd heard great things about the Pixies, but really was let down by Black Francis' unintelligent lyrics and odd melodies -- the Swell Season was a truly special concert. From opening the front of the stage up to the audience to jumping up, to having a 3-year old dance alone on stage in the 2nd-to-last number, to a completely humble prescence and SO much gratitude to the audience, the entire performance was truly wonderful. You should buy a ticket and see these guys.

consistenttly the best band to see never fail to put on an unforgettable show

Swell Season gave amazing performance. They play with their hearts in it which reflects a beauty, honesty of music, people, life. The feeling of connectidness and love has been playing all along. They charmed the audience. I was impressed by grace and honesty of the bend by which they approached strict organizer's rules/set-up of keeping people away from the stage. Definitelly recommended!