Article and Photos by: Sarah Todd

 

Durham, NC — The Swell Season returned to the stage at Durham Performing Arts Center tonight with the kind of grace and quiet power that’s made them so beloved over the years. With their first new album in 16 years, Forward, just released last month, the duo — Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová — seemed genuinely happy to be performing together again.

The setlist mixed older favorites (including songs from the Oscar-winning film Once) with some of the new ones, and everything flowed effortlessly. Their chemistry was still intact, their voices blending perfectly, and the crowd responded with the kind of focused attention that only happens when a show is really hitting. Hansard’s voice, gritty and raw in all the right ways, brought a powerful edge to his songs, while Irglová’s solo moments were marked by quiet, pure beauty. The two bring different vibes, but together it works perfectly—grounded yet a little otherworldly.

One of the most memorable moments came when they pulled a 13-year-old girl from the front row up on stage to sing with them. She was understandably nervous, visibly shaking and taking a minute to settle — but when she finally started singing, the entire room lit up. Her voice was powerful, confident, and far beyond what anyone expected. The crowd cheered her on the whole way through, and it ended up being one of the most touching parts of the night.

There was a genuine, intimate feel to the whole show—the kind that didn’t feel like a performance so much as a shared experience. Hansard was telling stories, laughing between numbers, and creating real moments of connection with both his bandmates and the audience. By the end of the night, it felt less like a concert and more like time spent with old friends. A lovely, memorable evening all around.