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All Songs +1: Glen Hansard Plays Our Sweet 16 Celebration : All Songs Considered The Irish singer's band The Frames was one of the very first acts ever played on All Songs Considered, and he brought the house down at the show's Sweet 16 bash at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

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All Songs Considered

All Songs +1: Glen Hansard Plays Our Sweet 16 Celebration

  • The All Songs Considered Sweet 16 party, at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., ended with a group photo that featured the NPR Music team, a birthday cake and a balloon drop.
    The All Songs Considered Sweet 16 party, at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., ended with a group photo that featured the NPR Music team, a birthday cake and a balloon drop.
    AJ Wilhelm/For NPR
  • All Songs Considered hosts Robin Hilton (left) and Bob Boilen (right), welcome singer Glen Hansard as the first surprise performer for the All Songs Sweet 16 birthday.
    All Songs Considered hosts Robin Hilton (left) and Bob Boilen (right), welcome singer Glen Hansard as the first surprise performer for the All Songs Sweet 16 birthday.
    AJ Wilhelm/For NPR
  • "When I heard this party was tonight, I thought 'I'm in! Count me in,'" Hansard told the sold-out audience.
    "When I heard this party was tonight, I thought 'I'm in! Count me in,'" Hansard told the sold-out audience.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • Singer Sharon Van Etten was one of two artists billed for the night. The other was Dan Deacon. But her solo performance was no less surprising, and included a brand new song she'd never played live before.
    Singer Sharon Van Etten was one of two artists billed for the night. The other was Dan Deacon. But her solo performance was no less surprising, and included a brand new song she'd never played live before.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • Sharon Van Etten is one of our all-time favorite discoveries. Kyp Malone of TV On The Radio shared her music with us during a guest DJ session in 2009.
    Sharon Van Etten is one of our all-time favorite discoveries. Kyp Malone of TV On The Radio shared her music with us during a guest DJ session in 2009.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • Violinist, singer and looping master Kishi Bashi was among the surprise performers.
    Violinist, singer and looping master Kishi Bashi was among the surprise performers.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • One of our favorite discoveries from the 2012 South by Southwest festival, Kishi Bashi signaled a new way of making music, with multiple layers of musical loops recorded on the fly.
    One of our favorite discoveries from the 2012 South by Southwest festival, Kishi Bashi signaled a new way of making music, with multiple layers of musical loops recorded on the fly.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • Singer Laura Gibson, another surprise performer, takes a run at the stage to give NPR Music's Stephen Thompson a high five.
    Singer Laura Gibson, another surprise performer, takes a run at the stage to give NPR Music's Stephen Thompson a high five.
    AJ Wilhelm/For NPR
  • Gibson was the first musician to ever play at Bob Boilen's desk, launching the Tiny Desk concert series in April, 2008.
    Gibson was the first musician to ever play at Bob Boilen's desk, launching the Tiny Desk concert series in April, 2008.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • The Houston-based soul band The Suffers was the final surprise performer for the night.
    The Houston-based soul band The Suffers was the final surprise performer for the night.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • All Songs Considered has always been about making new music discoveries. Host Bob Boilen told the crowd he expected The Suffers to be big in 2016.
    All Songs Considered has always been about making new music discoveries. Host Bob Boilen told the crowd he expected The Suffers to be big in 2016.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • Electronic musician and instant party maker Dan Deacon closed the night.
    Electronic musician and instant party maker Dan Deacon closed the night.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • Dan Deacon directs the crowd to make a circle in the middle of the club for a dance-off.
    Dan Deacon directs the crowd to make a circle in the middle of the club for a dance-off.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • All Songs host Bob Boilen joined Dan Deacon for the final song of the night. Bob played a reproduction of the Arp Odyssey synthesizer he used to play in Tiny Desk Unit, a band from the early '80s.
    All Songs host Bob Boilen joined Dan Deacon for the final song of the night. Bob played a reproduction of the Arp Odyssey synthesizer he used to play in Tiny Desk Unit, a band from the early '80s.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR
  • The crowd at the 9:30 Club danced itself into a frenzy, ending a memorable, joy-filled night.
    The crowd at the 9:30 Club danced itself into a frenzy, ending a memorable, joy-filled night.
    AJ Wilhelm /For NPR

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On Wednesday night, All Songs Considered threw a Sweet 16 party for the ages, full of performances by some of our favorite musicians from the show's history. We're still recovering, but we couldn't let the week end without sharing at least one highlight, so here's a video of the brilliant Glen Hansard singing the heck out of "When Your Mind's Made Up," a song from the Once soundtrack. Bob Boilen and I are in there too, talking about — and showing video from — the very first episode of All Songs.

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We'll post more highlights from the Sweet 16 party in the coming days, including appearances by Dan Deacon, Kishi Bashi, Laura Gibson, The Suffers and Sharon Van Etten. Thanks to all the performers and fans who helped make it an unforgettable, joyful celebration.

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