In what appears to be a budding annual tradition, U2’s Bono, the Swell Season’s Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, and a rotating troupe of spirited singers took to Dublin’s Grafton Street — for the second straight year — on Christmas Eve, performing a handful of classics for surprised passersby. Not only have the trio of Irish music stars and friends improved upon their caroling skills quite a bit since their impromptu ‘09 busk, but they’ve expanded the repertoire too. Songs played included Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “”Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”, “White Christmas”, “The Auld Triangle”, and Bob Dylan’s “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.”
Watch highlights from this year’s Grafton Street holiday session below:
“White Christmas” / “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
“You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere”
Rice sings “Hallelujah” here.
Hansard, Damien Dempsey, & friends take on “The Auld Triangle” here.