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Irish singer-songwriter and Oscar-winning artist Glen Hansard took the stage for the first time in Istanbul at Zorlu Performing Arts Center (PSM), captivating audiences with his heartfelt performance. The concert, organized by Piu Entertainment, marked the celebrated musician’s long-awaited debut in Türkiye.
Expressing his joy to be in Istanbul, Hansard recalled his brief visit to the city nearly a decade ago.
During the concert, he performed some of his most cherished songs, including “When Your Mind’s Made Up,” “Disappointed,” and “Bird of Sorrow.” His signature emotional style and storytelling resonated deeply with the audience throughout the evening.
Hansard’s musical journey began in the early 1980s on the streets of Dublin, where he performed as a young busker. In 1990, he founded the band The Frames, which quickly gained recognition as one of Ireland’s most influential rock groups.
The band’s albums “Fitzcarraldo” (1996) and “Burn the Maps” (2004) achieved major national success and led to shared stages with legends such as Bob Dylan.
Hansard’s international breakthrough came with the 2006 film “Once,” in which he starred and co-wrote the soundtrack. The film’s hit song “Falling Slowly” earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song, propelling him to worldwide fame.
Its later Broadway adaptation, “Once The Musical,” went on to win eight Tony Awards, cementing Hansard’s reputation as one of the most versatile artists of his generation.
Beyond film, Hansard has toured globally with acclaimed albums such as “Rhythm and Repose,” “Didn’t He Ramble,” and his latest work “This Wild Willing.”
He has also performed in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Following his Istanbul debut, Hansard is set to perform next in Ankara on Nov. 13.
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