Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard is an Irish musician and songwriter whose work spans a wide variety of musical contexts—from his time as the frontman of the band The Frames, to the project The Swell Season, to his extensive solo body of work. His music thrives on a wide stylistic range, shifting between powerful, high-energy arrangements and stripped-down, introspective moments.

The starting point for his latest album, *Transmissions East & West*, is a live experience that exemplifies his approach: a concert in which the boundaries between stage and audience dissolve, and music becomes a shared space to be experienced. This openness also shapes his artistic approach—songs emerge through interaction, evolve during live performances, and derive their impact from dynamics, energy, and immediate presence.

A defining feature is a form of storytelling that combines personal experiences with musical depth. Hansard’s work draws on influences from artists such as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, translating them into a distinctive style shaped equally by tradition, songwriting culture, and live performance.

Live, Glen Hansard translates this approach into concerts that are deliberately not limited to mere reproduction. Instead, the performances thrive on energy, spontaneity, and the connection between the musicians and the audience. The music evolves in the moment, creating an atmosphere that allows for both intimacy and collective intensity.

At the New Fall Festival, this form of live performance meets a space designed precisely for this purpose: focused listening, architectural presence, and a closeness that makes the music a physical experience.

Glen Hansard will give a solo concert at the New Fall Festival.

📍 Johanneskirche

📆 Fri, Oct. 9, 2026