Not since Dylan went electric has such debate raged over artistic choice. The revolt has begun. Walk outs, heckling and cries of “worst Frames gig ever” marred the first and the last nights of The Frames' three sell-out gigs at Vicar St. So irked was Glen Hansard by fans’ calls for ‘Revelate’ and ‘Star Star’ that, at one stage, he angrily announced, “How about you be the audience and we’ll be the band. Okay?” This wasn’t the happy Frames of past.
Though it is a tad histrionic, perhaps, to draw comparisons with the infamous 'Judas' jibes flung at Dylan, the degree of disdain levelled at The Frames was unprecedented for a group whose very career has been built on its loyal fan base.
The Vicar St. shows were designed to allow the group to showcase their new material whilst permitting fans a first taste of what’s to come. And on an extremely impressive second night (and by contrast, very calm gig) that’s exactly what happened.
Opening with the brooding ‘In The Arms Of This Low’, Hansard & Co. proceded to showcase 12 uninterrupted new songs, before launching into rare live performances of ‘The Dancer’, ‘A Caution To The Birds’ and ‘Angel At My Table’. Broadly speaking, the new material differed little from their now familiar style of subtle openings and bombastic finishes. Of highlights there were many. Though why fans failed to appreciate such quality material as ‘The Cost’, ‘Rise’ and ‘Song For Someone’ is a mystery. Best of all however was ‘People Get Ready’, a certified anthem finding the band in full flight and destined to become a future live favourite.
Admittedly such a barrage of new material can prove trying for an audience, though on their second outing, The Frames created the sort of warm atmosphere which allowed an attentive audience to be drawn in. Hostile reactions meant such a connection was obviously absent on the other two nights. Nonetheless The Frames can rest easy. With such new material ripe for recording, a future “comeback” is an inevitability. How silly this will all seem then.