Concert Review: Hozier in New York

Concert Review & Photo by Jenna Kaufman

Hozier at Forest Hills Stadium on June 7th in New York

The crowd in the stadium brimmed with anticipation waiting to hear the first notes ring out of Hozier’s second night at Forest Hills stadium.  Fans were dressed in maxi skirts and shirts photoshopped of the text ‘Hozier’ paired with other long-haired fictional characters, all buzzing with excitement. With the sun still shining bright, the 6’6” singer walked onstage with his band, going straight into “Eat Your Young,” one of the singles released prior to the release of his newest album “Unreal Unearth.”  The haunting vocals coming from his bullet microphone prepared the crowd for the whirlwind of emotions to come.  

Two songs from Hozier’s eponymous 2014 album came next; ‘“Jackie and Wilson” and the beautiful “From Eden.”  Looking into the crowd singing every word back to him, he reflected on how 10 years have passed since its release.  As he does at every concert, he asked for the crowd to join him in a call-and-response, singing the strings of notes found in “To Be Alone.”  The sold-out crowd of 13,000 fans sang back to him onstage while collectively laughing at their inability to match his perfect tone and riffs.

The set continued on as he played songs from all three of his albums, and as he played “Like Real People Do,” couples in the crowd held each others’ hands and kissed.  After the song Hozier’s attention was called to the crowd and was informed of a marriage proposal in the middle of the crowd in front of him, he gave his congratulations and dedicated the next song, “I Carrion (Icarian)” to the newly engaged couple.  This song is a reimagining of the tale of Icarus, with poetic lyrics about love paired with his soft guitar and the choral voices singing behind him.  

Another connection between the performers and the crowd occurred during “Would That I,” during which Hozier belted out the lyrics of the chorus as the crowd responded with “oh’s” as heard in the background of the song recording.  A few songs later, the recent release, “Too Sweet” was played, the crowd erupting in cheers.  Afterward, Hozier thanked everyone in a moment of reflection about how this song was his first-ever Number 1 hit.   

From someone who has been to 2 Hozier concerts now (soon to be 3,) it is imperative to mention his outstanding band.  Almost every instrumentalist was a vocalist as well, and his backup singers blended with his voice so well you would forget that you were hearing it live.  “Almost (Sweet Music)” gave each instrumentalist the opportunity to improvise over a couple bars of the song and take their moment in the spotlight before joining back in together.  

After “Take Me to Church,”  Hozier left the stage and made his way around the crowd to a smaller stage in the center of the venue.  Fans in the back of the general admission section had the opportunity to be up close to him as he walked by, grabbing their hands and smiling.  On the dim and warmly lit stage, he, alone, sang “Cherry Wine” and “Unknown/Nth.”  For the latter, his band joined in as the song built from the main stage behind him, the focus still on him and his guitar in the center, with fans surrounding the rectangular platform entranced with the two songs. 

Returning to the main stage, he spoke for over 5 minutes about the ideas and movements that inspired his song “Nina Cried Power,” which features singer and activist Mavis Staples on the “Wasteland, Baby!” album, as his band played the looping instrumental, leading to a seamless transition into the song.  Singer Melissa McMillan sang Staples’ part, her extremely powerful voice blowing the crowd away.

Hozier gave the second round of thank you’s of the night to his band, along with thanking every single person touring with him.  His compassion was palpable in these moments and it was obvious how genuinely appreciative he is of all those he works with.  To close out the concert just in time before ten o’clock, he brought out Allison Russell, his opener, to sing “Work Song” with him, ending the night with their harmonies and roars of applause from the crowd.