AN EVENING WITH GLEN HANSARD SECOND PERFORMANCE ANNOUNCED FOR ST PATRICK’S DAY
Due to overwhelming demand — and a stroke of Irish luck — a second Glen Hansard performance has been announced to take place at the Opera House on Monday 17 March, St Patrick’s Day.

Supported by compatriot Lisa O’Neill, the teaming of Hansard, Ireland’s favourite minstrel, and a favourite of Australian audiences, with O’Neill, one of the Emerald Isle’s rising new stars, will make for two unforgettable evenings of singing, storytelling and genuine musical passion on the Concert Hall stage.

Ben Marshall Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music said, “The response to Glen’s first Opera House performance has been astounding. To now announce that two of Ireland’s musical leading lights will perform in the Concert Hall on St Patrick’s Day – a day of such national significance for their country men and women – is a real coup.”

Much loved for his intense and inclusive performances, and his searing personal songs offset by a sharp sense of humour, Hansard is best known for The Swell Season, his collaboration with Czech artist Marketa Irglova. In 2007 they won an Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘Falling Slowly’, from the hit film Once. The film went on to receive a Broadway makeover, winning eight Tony awards, including Best Musical.

Hansard’s latest release, 2013’s Drive All Night, is a four-track EP produced by Joe Henry (Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello, Loudon Wainwright III) which features a cameo from Eddie Vedder, and a heartfelt cover of the Bruce Springsteen title track. A portion of proceeds from each record sold will also go to Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organisation that was a favourite of the late Clarence Clemons, the Boss’ saxophonist and sidekick.

Joining Hansard as support will be Irish singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill, who recently released her second LP, Same Cloth or Not, an album that has received critical acclaim. ‘O’Neill is real,’ stated Ireland’s The Herald. ‘Her songs poetry; her gift, of the ages. It’s possible she’s the most important artist out of Ireland for decades.’ The Ticket simply called it ’one of the most outstanding Irish albums of 2013.’

O’Neill first found her musical legs, supporting David Gray in the USA in 2009, subsequently recording her first solo record, Has An Album. With the endorsement of folk-singing legend Peggy Seeger, O’Neill soon found herself touring with Glen Hansard for the first time.

Channelling everyone from Bob Dylan — an early live favourite of O’Neill’s was called ‘Song to Bobby D’ — to Ireland’s many great singer / strummers, O’Neill’s latest album inspired the Irish Times to praise her music’s ‘true sense of place, real sense of tradition and utter lack of pretension.’

Notes to editors:
In 2012, Hansard released his debut solo album, Rhythm and Repose, an LP inspired by 18 months living in Manhattan — a classic case of an Irishman abroad. The New York Daily News described the album as ‘thrilling . . . tender . . . his most luscious melodies to date’, citing Harry Nilsson and Cat Stevens as reference points. ‘Love = drama + melodrama on Glen Hansard’s moonstruck solo debut,’ noted Rolling Stone, ‘as it is in his songs for the breakout film-turned-musical Once and for his bands the Frames and the Swell Season.’

This performance is part of Music at the House, the contemporary music program presented by Sydney Opera House that includes upcoming performances by The National, Neko Case, Flying Lotus, Yo La Tengo, Iron & Wine, Ludovico Einaudi, Buddy Guy and Charlie Musselwhite and has included performances by Grizzly Bear, Bonobo, CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers, James Blake, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and more. Visit sydneyoperahouse.com/music for further information.

SEASON DETAILS
WHAT: An Evening with Glen Hansard with special guest Lisa O’Neill
WHEN: 9pm, Monday 17 and Thursday 20 March, 2014
WHERE: Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
TICKETS: From $49 + bf sydneyoperahouse.com/music / 02 9250 7777