Man Reportedly Commits Suicide During Swell Season Concert

The Swell SeasonAl Pereira, WireImage

On Thursday night, an unidentified man reportedly killed himself by jumping from a nearby building onto the stage during a Swell Season show at California's Saratoga Mountain Winery. According to local reports, the man ran toward the edge of the roof, leapt near the lighting rig and landed close to singer Glen Hansard.

"Glen was just finishing a little song that one of his band members had made up," one witness told SF Weekly. "The crowd was singing along with him and he was looking for the band member ... I just happened to look up and I saw this guy falling from the top of the roof on the right side of the building behind the stage. He landed about three feet to the left of Glen on a speaker and he was motionless, like a rag doll."

Hansard put down his guitar and walked over to the man as doctors were trying to revive him. The man was reportedly motionless and some witnesses said they saw blood around him.

The Swell Season have since released a statement regarding the event. "The band, crew and all involved with them are shocked and saddened by the unfortunate events of last night," the statement said. "Their hearts go out to the victim and his friends and family."


All the The Swell Season info you want to know

Marketa Irglova Has a Solo Adventure on…

Spinner

Gino DePinto, AOL Marketa Irglova first wowed the world in 2006, when she…

Marketa Irglova Focuses on 'Feminine'…

Spinner

Sion Fullana Marketa Irglova was just 19 years old when she was cast as the…

Coachella 2011 Music: Free MP3s From…

Spinner

WireImage | Redferns Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been…

See all The Swell Season »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

10 Comments

Filter by:
Jason C.

I was at the show in the 7th row. I saw it all. I liked the band a bit and my girl got us into the show. They put on one of the best shows I have ever seen till the situatoin. Shame on all of you for having bad taste. They are a good band. You dont have to like them or even care but you do. I saw this and my girl and I and everyone didnt deserve it. F you all that talk crap. I DO LIKE SWELL SEASON......

August 28 2010 at 6:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SamKazam07

Why the hell are you guys making fun of him? The man was suicidal and you think it's a joke. You're all pathetic.

August 22 2010 at 11:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PackRat

Offing yourself is bad enough. Doing it in a public place, making a spectacle of your pathetic self, is the ultimate selfish act. Losers like this deserve scorn and ridicule, not pity.

August 21 2010 at 8:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
edelish

I attended this show, but in a different venue. If you are unfamiliar with the band, watch the movie "Once". It is a little quirky, and at first the Irish accents are a little tough to understand, and some would say it moves a bit too slowly, but the story builds to a really nice crescendo, and a non-predictable ending. Not everyone likes music that others like. But the moview is semi-biographical, and sweet. The fact that an individual committed suicide during any public event can really be looked at therapeutically as an indication that the person felt both entitled and inconsequential. And very angry. It wouldn't be out of the realm of posssiblity to think that someone the deceased person knew and wanted to personally make the death a final statement was attending the concert.

As to those who have to use this or any venue to spew either cruel or unrelated comments, please understand that the rest of us see you as the intellectually and emotionally primitive individuals that you probably are, who cannot grieve or respond appropriately in any situation. You are to be pitied, not ridiculed.

August 21 2010 at 5:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kevin

When you kill yourself are you really a victim?

August 21 2010 at 3:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jinky

it's awful to say, but when i saw the headline, it made sense that a guy would off himself to end the musical torture at their concert. that movie of their's was not good and the music was worse, especially that 'oscar winning' song.

August 21 2010 at 2:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim Bob

I dont really understand why they call him a victim...

August 21 2010 at 1:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jenny

Do you people think you're funny?

August 20 2010 at 11:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jenny's comment
GIGI

I AGREE this man was ill and needed help not jokes. i wish thre was someone who could have stop him some way?

August 21 2010 at 12:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Roy George

I don't know who this band is, but that's not very good PR for them is it?

August 20 2010 at 8:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply