Tabitha Wilson
Ahead of the release of his highly-anticipated third album, Unreal Unearth, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier has embarked on a UK tour.
On the 5th of July, the Take Me To Church hitmaker appeared live at the outdoor venue Castlefield Bowl in Manchester. He performed alongside supporting acts Victoria Canal and The Tesky Brothers.
Hozier is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. With his sublime lyricism and intoxicating melodies – even after a four-year hiatus, the devoted crowds he draws are incredible. There’s a real sense of community amongst his fans. The crowd looks out for one another and forms new friendships as the evening goes on.
THE OPENING ACTS
The first act to take to the stage, Victoria Canal, is one to watch. Her vulnerability and raw performance gained her many new fans, with her song Shape resonating with the crowd. The track discusses Canal’s battle with body dysmorphia, and her feelings surrounding her disability.
Her cover of Motion Sickness by indie superstar Phoebe Bridgers was gorgeous and had the audience singing along.
“Their pure enthusiasm was a joy to watch”
Australian blues rock band the Teskey Brothers were up next. The rain that began to pour only added to their set. Their powerful, soulful numbers complemented Hozier’s catalogue, and their pure enthusiasm was a joy to watch.
The evening featured a variety of incredibly skilful musicians, with every single individual onstage showcasing their talent. Hozier took the time during his set to introduce his band to the audience, ensuring that they receive recognition.
AN EMOTIONAL PERFORMANCE
Hozier opened his set with one of his newer singles, Eat Your Young, followed by a collection of his greatest hits. Jackie and Wilson, From Eden, Cherry Wine and Work Song were all highlights. The seasoned performer demonstrated his unmatched stage presence and glorious vocals.
“His lyrics, despite their complexity, encapsulate every emotion that a human can feel”
You get the feeling he’s singing just to you, even in a crowded space. His lyrics, despite their complexity, encapsulate every emotion that a human can feel – and some more that you didn’t even know existed.
The artist invited support act Victoria Canal back to the stage to perform Like Real People Do, a gorgeously sanguine track from his first album. It was lovely to see the way Hozier interacted with his support acts, and his band – you can see the genuine warmth and friendship, and this adds to the overall performance.
“The crowd went wild for his smash hit Take Me To Church”
His rendition of one of his latest singles, Francesca, was powerful, with the track featuring themes of love and commitment. The song was lyrically inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy and the journey through the Nine Circles of Hell.
The crowd went wild for his smash hit Take Me To Church, which made Hozier an overnight success back in 2013. The song, which features themes of religion, love, and social issues, feels as fresh now as it did all those years ago – a testament to Hozier’s masterful artistry.
With more tour dates planned for this year, and an arena tour set to start in the winter, it seems Hozier is only just getting started – hopefully, we won’t have to wait as long for his fourth album!
READ NEXT:
-
2023’S EMO RENAISSANCE
-
SINGLE REVIEW: ‘VAMPIRE’ BY OLIVIA RODRIGO
-
ALBUM REVIEW: ‘MESSY’ BY OLIVIA DEAN
Featured image courtesy of Tabitha Wilson. No changes were made to this image.
Tabitha Wilson
Tabitha is an MA Journalism student at Sheffield University. She has previously worked as a maritime journalist, and studied politics at Durham University. She enjoys writing about music, culture, and travel.