An Intimate Evening of Old Favorites and Fresh Melodies with Hozier
Flashback to a decade ago, with the static-y echoes of “Take Me to Church” wafting through the speakers of a beaten-down Chevy Malibu, I, an ardent fan, became one with the hypnotic pull of Hozier’s baritone. An instant serendipity that fast-forwarded me to a moist evening at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, where rain gently caressed the faces of ardent fans, and the rapid heartbeats in anticipation of the Irish singer-songwriter’s presence were almost harmonious.
The skies whispered, raindrops interspersing with the expectant murmurs of the crowd, as Hozier stepped into the ethereal set mimicking both, an enchanted forest and a starry night under a colossal red moon. His presence, a tangible electricity, seemed to suspend us all in a time where his voice was the only thing that mattered – a sweet, soulful cradle that enveloped every listener into a personal, intimate embrace.
His voice, was profoundly felt, painting the night with narratives from his latest project ‘Unreal Unearth,’ while equally bestowing us with cherished classics. Amidst the rich tapestry of melodies and the occasional fervent cries of “Marry me” from the crowd, Hozier, like a gentle raconteur, weaved stories into his songs, bridging moments and melodies into a singular, captivating experience.
Navigating through the delicate serenades and dynamic liveliness of his newest works from the ‘Unreal Unearth’ album, and not neglecting tracks from his EP ‘Eat Your Young’ and earlier albums, the set-list swayed between beloved classics like “Jackie and Wilson” and powerhouse anthems like “Take Me to Church.” It was an evening where varying energies—both vibrant and serene—floated seamlessly beneath the persistent, gentle droplets of a Nashville evening.
The encore enveloped the amphitheater with a splendid surprise, adorned by the melodies of “Nina Cried Power” and “Work Song,” magnified by the enchanting talents of Allison Russell and Madison Cunningham. As the echoes of the night lingered in the cold, damp air, the journey through the musical realms of Hozier, both past and present, left a residual magic that continued to flutter in our hearts, long after the starry set dimmed and the red moon descended.