26 June 2012 // Chicago, IL // The Vic Theatre

Support: Lisa Hannigan

Main Set: The Storm, It’s Coming, You Will Become, When Your Mind’s Made Up, Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting – Respect (Aretha Franklin), Low Rising, Talking with the Wolves (with Lisa Hannigan and Ross Turner on shaker), Bird of Sorrow, Leave (solo), In These Arms (solo), Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) (solo), High Hope, Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye) (by audience member Ethan), Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy (by Ethan), Fitzcarraldo, Feeling the Pull, High Horses

First Encore: Gold (Interference) (guitar played by audience member Fredo), Say it to Me Now (sung with Fredo), Tonight You Belong to Me (Rose/David) (by Lisa Hannigan and John Smith), The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Levon Helm tribute – with Lisa Hannigan, John Smith and Ross Turner), Don’t Do It (Marvin Gaye/The Band) (with Lisa Hannigan, John Smith and Ross Turner)

Second Encore: Song of Good Hope, Heyday (Mic Christopher) (with Lisa Hannigan)

Third Encore: The Auld Triangle (Traditional)

Notes:Lisa Hannigan joins in on harmony for ‘Talking with the Wolves’, and she and Ross Turner both contribute enthusiastically on shaker. The end of ‘Leave’ is extended with some looping action as Glen encourages the front of the crowd to yell into the pickup of his guitar, creating an eerie moaning effect in the playback. “That was scary,” he says at the end. 11 year old Ethan, who has a history of singing with the guys in Chicago and has since learned to play keyboard, is invited up to perform Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’. Graham, Colm and Joe back him up and he then fearlessly suggests his specialty, ‘Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy’. Equally as impressive is young Fredo, plucked out for the encore to play ‘Gold’ on Glen’s Takamine. He is fierce and Glen comments several times his guitar will never be the same. Proving he is a well-rounded talent, Fredo then sings a great version of ‘Say it to Me Now’. Lisa and John Smith are invited back and deliver a lighthearted ‘Tonight You Belong to Me’ before everyone returns to the stage for a rousing tribute to Levon Helm. ‘Don’t Do It’ is a definite highlight of the night. Someone calls out for ‘Heyday’ and it’s clear that’s the only way to go. The room is full of joy and light, with that special air only Chicago has.

[thanks to Courtney for the setlist, notes & photos. poster by dan grzeca.]

band:
Glen Hansard
Colm Mac Con Iomaire (violin)
Joe Doyle (bass)
Rob Bochnik (guitar)
Graham Hopkins (drums)
Justin Carroll (keys)