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By Mark Hornok

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For about fifteen minutes last night, The Swell Season turned Ravinia into The Vic or The Riv. The wealthy Ravinia staff stopped that as soon as possible. We will discuss this more in a moment...

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It was a warm, but lovely night of music last night in Highland Park. The Swell Season filled the night air with gorgeous harmonies and just enough vigor to keep the laid back crowd engaged. While most people know this band from the motion picture Once, tonight gave the crowd a strong dose of their latest record, Strict Joy. The first four songs were from this disc, including my favorite cut, "Feeling the Pull". Glen Hansard was in fine voice and seemed to really enjoy the Ravinia atmosphere as the show began. Markita Irglova changed things up with a quiet and tender reading of "If You Want Me." The onstage differences of Hansard and Irglvoa are what really make them work as a live show. Hansard has the emotion in his face and is not afraid to scream out a lyric when needed. Irglova has a quiet, but gourgeous voice that brings feeling to her songs. The differing directions make for a somtimes magical sum.

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The Swell Season often feature cover tunes in their shows. Tonight brought out some good choices. Hansard and Irglova shared the front microphone to work through Tim Buckley's, "Buzzin’ Fly." They later played a magnificent version of Van Morrison's, "Into The Mystic." Morrison is obviously a big influence on Hansard. He has covered other Morrison songs on several earlier tour stops. The single from Strict Joy, "Low Rising," sounds like it could come from a 1990's Morrison record, and I mean that in the most complimentary way.

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The show hit the next level during the last three songs of the main set. Hansard asked that the guards let a handful of listeners from the lawn come down to the front of the stage. The staff ignored his request, but he persisted, and finally two guards opened their gate. A little over 100 fans filled the area in front of the stage. It changed the whole mood of the show. The intensity went up and the entire theater was forced to stand to see over the crowd. Both "When Your Mind's Made Up" and "Revelate" were super-charged versions. The main set ended with "Falling Slowly" and at this point the crowd was really buzzing with joy.

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The first person to return to the stage was not a member of the band. A Ravinia official came out and acknowledged that he was "the bearer of bad news." They forced everyone back to their seats or out of the theater all together. The crowd was not out of control. It had been something really special. The claim was that the fire marshal was the bad guy. Some of me wants to put blame on complaints from the fat cat donators in the front sections. Ravinia has always been a mixed blessing. It makes for a wonderful scene on a summer night. They get a handful of excellent acts each year. The problem is that most fans don't have access to the best seats. They go to the wealthy donators on the North Shore. The lawn has always been the draw for the common person. You can't see the show from there, but the lawn is full of speakers, and there is normally a very friendly vibe up there. Twenty dollars last night to sit on the lawn and not be able to see the show? That makes no sense.

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Hansard seemed a little bothered by the decision as he started the encore. He jokingly thanked the fire marshall for "just doing his job." He went on to add that there is "not much about this place that is rock and roll." Musically, it had no negative effect on the encore. Both "Say it to Me Now" and "Gold" were highlights of the encore set. 

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It was a treasure filled night of music. I look forward to seeing where the band goes from here. I have a feeling it won't be Ravinia.

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The setlist:

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Feeling the Pull
The Rain
Low Rising
In These Arms
If You Want Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5tXaF3qr4I)
Fantasy Man
Leave
Buzzin’ Fly (Tim Buckley cover)
Back Broke (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om48yLPxxH0)
Into the Mystic (Van Morrison cover)
I Have Loved You Wrong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw45ki0-p3s)
The Court of New Town - violin instrumental performed by Colm Mac Con Iomaire
When Your Mind's Made Up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHcue1RS_dw)(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNZrnmdGv98)
Revelate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qliyC_zHn5k)
Falling Slowly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRykKQigzxE) (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0I93Rp5wuI) (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jp3xDw8pL8)
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Say it to Me Now (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DLk3wc0wjU)
Crossroads (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY3wKpl_g0w)
Gold (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ1VlpiBQzI)
Fitzcarraldo
Devil Town (Daniel Johnston cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu1C0-iItr4

past reviews