I
It has been almost ten years since Andrew Hozier-Byrne’s song Take Me to Church, which expresses his support for gay marriage in Ireland and was partially recorded in his attic, achieved five times platinum status in the US and topped charts in twelve different countries. In the time since, Hozier has released three albums, including this year’s Unreal Unearth, which reached No. 1 in the UK. At 33 years old, the Irish artist now performs in sold-out arenas with enthusiastic fans. He has become more skilled in entertaining large crowds, giving showbiz-like commands such as “If you know this one I’d like to hear y’all” and leading the crowd in call-and-response backing vocals. He also incorporates visual elements, such as tree roots descending onto the stage.
The music has increased in intensity, creating an impressive, sincere, and occasionally grandiose mix of rock and soul. The catchy choruses and harmonized “whoah whoah whoah”s make it perfect for arenas. The singer’s powerful yet ethereal voice is at the forefront, creating a sound that resembles a wind tunnel. While there are moments where his solo acoustic roots shine through, such as in the beautiful “Cherry Wine” from 2013, most of his music now features a large band and collaborations with other writers and producers. Nevertheless, it’s hard to deny the impact of songs like the elemental “First Light,” the beautifully hymnal “Work Song” (a duet with Abigail Morris from the opening act, the Last Dinner Party), and the powerful “Take Me to Church,” which elicits a massive roar from the crowd that can probably be heard all the way in Dublin.
Once Hozier’s inner activist is released, he begins a passionate speech accompanied by mesmerizing drumming. He advocates for equality and women’s right to “body autonomy”, references Irish historical figure James Connolly, and urges others to support peace efforts in Gaza. This serves as a prolonged introduction to his powerful tribute to civil rights, “Nina Cried Power”. While he may have had to make compromises to reach his current level of success, he is determined to utilize his platform for important causes.
Source: theguardian.com
