Hozier Performs a Memorable Concert

Hozier Performs a Memorable Concert

Aleka Damiano, Staff Writer

Over the summer months many of you may have heard the song “Take Me to Church” on the radio being sung by a soulful yet unfamiliar voice. Listeners would soon learn that this voice belongs to Andrew Hozier-Byrne, better known as Hozier, whose claim to fame was established after this song soared to the top of the charts. Soon after, this Irish based artist would win prestigious awards such as “Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Song” and “Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Artist,” further increasing his popularity. His music can be described as a harmonious combination of soul and blues music meeting rock. Hozier, along with his band, embarked on their first ever world tour at the end of 2014 in which they mainly toured Ireland for the remainder of the year, and then in 2015 they traveled to the UK and US along with other countries. He is still touring currently in Europe.

However, this previous September, Hozier made a stop at Radio City Music Hall in New York City as a part of his “US Fall Tour.” I was lucky enough to have been one of the people in the crowd that night. Hozier was accompanied by Little Green Cars, an Indie Rock band from Dublin, Ireland. Needless to say it was definitely a performance that I will never forget. The opening act, Little Green Cars, is a talented group; they performs Indie Rock music that fans of Hozier can really appreciate. Their stellar and meaningful performance set the tone for the rest of the night.

Then for a good half hour, mass anticipation began to build, as the stage stood barren except for large white letters that spelled out “HOZIER” on the backdrop. Then the auditorium went black and the opening chords to “Like Real People Do” began to play on a guitar by a lanky figure that walked onto the stage. The figure was none other than Hozier himself, whose immense talent and warm presence seemed to throw the crowd into a mass frenzy of screams and claps and some joyful tears (myself included). The stage seemed to be lit up with his touching lyrics and strong yet unbelievable vocals, while also being literally lit up with an amazing light display, which played an integral part of the show. Perhaps the best song of the night was “Cherry Wine,” when Hozier came back on for his encore. The song moved me when I had first heard it on Pandora, so you can imagine how emotional my feelings of joy and excitement made me during the live thing.  It is an amazing thing when an artist’s voice sounds even better live than on recording. Along with the talented musicians and backup vocalists that comprise his band, Hozier delivered a passionate, and to say the least, killer performance.