Hozier played the moving, soulful rock show of our dreams at a sold-out Observatory North Park.
Hozier
Duo Hudson Taylor opened, backed by an equally-talented backing band, and captivated the audience with dance-y tunes that felt like a road-trip with the windows down. Their brand of folk-rock was a perfect set-up to the energy Hozier would later bring to the stage. From the opening song, the many Hudson Taylor die-hards in attendance were screaming and singing along with every song. The band, just over a month removed from their latest release “Bear Creek to Dame Street,” took the audience on a ride through heartbreak tracks set to driving rock beats and a fun performance.
Hozier opened with “Like Real People Do,” “Nina Cried Power” off the most recent EP, and “Jackie and Wilson.” The Irish artist put on an unforgettable show, rich with moments both emotional and powerful, sweet and intimate. Songs that appeared as soulful pleas came alive in a new way live as power rock ballads, as shown with his live performance of songs such as “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene.” Sweeter romantic moments appeared in pieces like “Cherry Wine,” which was performed solo, only to be followed by harsher love songs such as “Shrike.” Hozier explained this song was based on a bird of prey which lives in a thorn bush and hangs its prey above it’s home. Fittingly, he was inspired to write a love song based on the gruesome bird. After “Take Me to Church,” Hozier covered “Say My Name” by Destiny’s child and finished with “Work Song.”
While the wonderful and recently-released four-piece EP “Nina Cried Power” can hold fans over for the meantime, Hozier announced an new album to be released in the next year.