Since seeing Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova back in November, opening up for Damien Rice, I have been, and this is fairly rare these days, mesmerized by their music. You know, when I first started listening to Damien Rice, a friend asked what kind of music I would label it and I replied, sad rock. Sad though it is, I think you could put Glen and Marketa's music in the same category, though I believe it might actually be more soulful, haunting and beautiful.

My closest friend took me to that concert in November for my birthday and so in return, I took l her to the El Rey Wednesday night to see the Once Tour Live. She had seen the movie, I had not. (We were supposed to go see it together, however, I was acting like a jackass at the time so I never made it.) The show was sold out, line extremely long and the night very much an experience I won't forget.

Somehow, it seems of late, my concert going experiences are getting more and more interesting.

We had to park about three blocks away and walk, which was fine...and free and then stand in line for quite a bit. While there, we saw this guy and a group of about 4 of his friends, persistently try to make is way into the theater. I found it amusing but didn't think he would get it, my friend (a live music vet) predicted that he would because he was persistent. She was right. After pretending to be with CAA or William Morris or something, he scored tickets and they got in.

Anywho, we scope out a locale, meet this lovely ladies from San Diego (who were fairly inebriated even before the show, but fun none the less), Shawnee Smith, the young lady from Saw and her male companion (who my friend - who will talk to just about anyone - begins chatting up) and the show begins. Eric Bachmann, who I really didn't care for, opened up. As we listen and battle to keep our precious acreage, I hear a man next to me say, I feel like I need a latte or something. Yeah.

Finally, we see this curly haired gentleman come breezing behind us and escorted back stage. It was Glen, who had been playing outside on the sidewalk. We were jealous of course. A few moments later, this tall blonde makes her way into the group and I turn back to the stage, turn back to her and realize that it was Leslie Bibb. It was a bit odd and off putting.

Nonetheless, we welcomed her into the fold, mostly because she's spunky and wouldn't let us talk her out of going further down where she'd be able to see anyway as she toured over most of the crowd there anyway. We wait in the intermission, and as my highly social friend (which can be annoying at times, beneficial most others) begins talking to the man next to her, I turn and look and it's Hugh Dancy. Thinking to myself, I wonder if he is still with Claire Danes, I turn back even further and realize, yes, yes, he is. Dammit.

The lights go down, the annoucer comes out and introduces Glen and Marketa and so begins the second best concert I've ever seen (the November one previously mentioned being the first). They sing so beautifully together, as they had before, but I guess something about knowing that they are a couple in real life lent a newer perspective on the songs, the lyrics, the looks and smiles that passed between them. I begin to wonder, I bet they have all kinds of passionate, weird, loving and wonderful sex - those bastards.

'Satisfy Me' has to be, by far, my favorite of their songs, along with 'Leave', it makes me the most uncomfortable and therefore makes me feel the most, but it has to be the most beautiful song of the set, with Marketa singing the lead. By about the third song in, while Glen tells, the way Irish singer-songwriters can only do, the inspration behind certain songs and stories of their brief tour, audience members begin shouting, 'Oscar' and 'Thanks for making the best movie of the year'.

I really should see 'Once' (if there are any cute, single men who would like to see it with an awefully cute black chick, let me know...I think it's still at Sunset 5). The storytelling, audience yelling, performer/crowd loving continued. Meanwhile, Leslie Bibb is singing every word to every song, loudly. Audience participation was encouraged.

At one point Glen began playing and got a bit too excited and it seeem caused an equipment malfunction - so he asked the crowd to be really quite and finished the song unplugged. Someone yelled out 'That's the coolest thing I've ever seen'. Not quite true, but close...

And so, just when we thought the show was over, who do we find out is backstage but an old friend, Damian Rice. He scared me for a bit there, looking a bit thinner than usual, but the intensity was still there just with less of the Irish swagger. He played his song and then left the stage, coming behind us to watch the rest of the show.

Other highlights: Glen and Marketa covering the Pixies (electric, of course) and Van Morrison's 'Into the Mystic' - and a song he wrote for his niece 'Banana Man'. Apparently, one day, his niece wanted him to do a song that didnt make her sad because his music was sad and she wanted something...not so sad. So, Banana Man. Fucking Awesome. By far the best show I've seen all year.

Side note: Interesting night continued - the very social friend, who could be Catherine Zeta-Jones and Evangeline Lilly's love child gets stopped by this guy outside of the theater, we go and have a couple of drinks at Little Bar and before we can leave, the LAPD has blocked off LaBrea and blocks east and west because some fucking idiot was running around shooting at them. Which meant we couldn't get to our cars for a couple of hours. Yay. The LA adventure.

We hit Swingers, eat, head back towards the commotion and make our way around the barricades to our cars. You, I'm a night owl and wish I was one of those people who partied as a full time job while functioning in the real world. But I fucking love, LOVE, sleep. And I didnt get much that night. But it was totally worth it.