Everyone in Northeast Ohio has a storm story after the rain and tornado-like winds ripped through the area on Tuesday evening. Despite trees falling, debris littering the roads, and thousands of people being left without power, thousands of fans made the journey to Blossom Music Center when the weather had cleared. A few hours after a tornado warning had come and gone, the venue was packed to capacity with fans ready to see a 6’6 Irishman take the stage.
Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, or Hozier as he is known on stage, rocketed to stardom in 2013 when his song “Take Me To Church” took the world by storm and debuted at Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Since then, Hozier has captivated fans with his incredible lyrics, often being full of literary references and connecting the listener to the natural world. It is clear he has continued to grow since the success of “Take Me to Church” and even more since his last visit to the Greater Cleveland area in 2019, where he played at the Akron Civic Theater, this time selling out a 20,000+ capacity venue.
To fit the vibe of the Unreal Unearth Tour, sharing the name with his 2023 album release, the Blossom stage was transformed to align with the earthy feel of the album. Fake cobblestone flooring was laid on the stage, and dried grass trim was strewn across the edges of the stage platform. The little details on the stage added to the overall feel of the show perfectly, truly transporting fans to a new world as they heard Hozier and his band perform.
The night began with Hozier taking the stage solo with an acoustic guitar. The lights created a dreamlike scene as he played “De Selby (pt.1),” the opening track from his 2023 album. The band entered and seamlessly transitioned into the follow-up track, “De Selby (pt.2).“ It felt fitting for Hozier to start the show solo with this song, as he is the sole writer of it, and then have his band join in for the second part.
Despite the tour being named after his 2023 album, which also had a 2024 extended release, many of Hozier’s most loved songs come from his 2014 self-titled album. Songs like “Jackie and Wilson,” “From Eden,” and “Like Real People Do” were included in the set, and one would never guess that the songs are now 10 years old based on how loudly audience members were singing along.
Before playing “Francesa” off of ‘Unreal Unearth’ Hozier talked a little bit about the inspiration for the song, giving the audience a glimpse into how truly thoughtful and poetic his songwriting is. He discussed the inspiration coming from the novel Dante’s Inferno, and he has spoken in interviews about the inspiration this allegory was for the entire album. With lyrics like:
“Though I know my heart would break
I’ll tell them, put me back in it
Darling, I would do it again, ah, ah
If I could hold you for a minute.”
The poetry in Hozier’s songwriting shines in this piece and so many others.
The beautiful blend of songs, old and new, plus a mix of acoustic and energetic guitar-heavy jams, created a show that everyone could enjoy but also truly showcased the vastness of Hozier’s talent. While this generation of chart-topping artists has many incredible lyricists, few are writing with the level of complexity that Hozier does. Songs like “I, Carrion (Icarian)” left the audience in tears, while “Would That I” had fans bellowing along with the singer about a longing for love.
Hozier also gave a shout out to fans before playing his song “Too Sweet”. The song went viral on TikTok before its release and continued to be shared dozens of times since its release on the ‘Unheard’ EP in March of this year. The song became his first song to hit number on the Billboard Top 100 in the United States, and the songwriter expressed his undying thanks to fans for making that possible.
Hozier also took time on the stage to discuss many socio-political issues our world is facing. Before playing “Nina Cried Power,” he discussed the power of protest and the effects that protests in the United States can have globally. He referenced LGBT+ rights and the need for women to have the rights of their own bodies and even made a call to Free Palestine. Fans cheered enthusiastically as he called out the various causes, and it became clear on an even deeper level why fans are drawn to Hozier. He spoke up without hesitation, without fear, and called for change, while also calling for people to call their representatives and demand change. He is not afraid to speak up where he sees wrong and does so in a thoughtful way. The speech was the perfect transition in the song about the power of protest, where his bandmate, Melissa McMillan, joined him on the part sung by Mavis Staples on the album.
The impressive 21-song setlist ended with “Work Song” from his self-titled album. Despite tornado warnings, a bit of rain during the show, and surely muddy conditions on the lawn, fans walked out beaming. It is clear that this music has impacted people in ways this writer can’t even begin to imagine and that fans are eager to see what Hozier has in store next. It’s good they won’t have to wait long, as Hozier’s next project, the ‘Unaired’ EP, was just announced.
Hozier brought singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun as his opener to kick off the night. Oladokun’s band was electric, immediately getting people up and dancing or swaying along to the music. Her thoughtful and heartfelt lyrics were the perfect prologue to a night of incredible songwriting. “look up” and “We’re All Gonna Die” were both coated in passion, and it’s certain Oladokun left with some new fans after the show.
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