Irish singer and songwriter Hozier took the stage for his “Unreal Unearth” tour at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on Tuesday, Sept. 12, in front of a roaring crowd. Before Hozier’s two-hour setlist began, the concert consisted of a 30-minute performance by opener and Canadian singer Allison Russell, whom most of the audience was familiar with because of her previous collaborations with Hozier. Russell set the bar high with a powerful, resonant display of vocals and an impressive management of multiple instruments, from guitar to the saxophone. After performing a diverse repertoire, including songs in Canadian French, Russell ended her set with a heartfelt message about Hozier and his artistry, praising his activism and messaging that is present in his discography.
Nearly 30 minutes after the opening act, the lights dimmed and a visual of stars lit up the stage, resulting in the crowd cheering. Hozier opened the show with the slow paced, melodious “De Shelby (Part 1)” from his newest album, “Unreal Unearth,” with the lyrics and the visual conveying the passion Hozier sang with. After the first song, Hozier transitioned into “De Shelby (Part 2)” by switching to an electric guitar joined by the rest of his band, setting an upbeat tone for the rest of the concert.
The setlist covered a variety of songs from all three of Hozier’s albums, including radio hits like “Too Sweet” and fan-favorites like “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene,” accompanying two minute solos from the each member of the band, highlighting the cohesiveness and chemistry that Hozier and his band had. The added freestyles and creative changes to notes in the songs performed added a dimension to the setlist that made the concert experience unique. Songs like “Francesca,” centered on the angst of forbidden love, and “Dinner and Diatribes” were especially enhanced, the band taking the opportunity to express their creativity with these rock-based songs.
Although the musicality of the concert was outworldly, Hozier’s stage presence seemed to be lacking at moments. While there were some jokes sprinkled throughout the show, such as teasing himself about having the same jacket he had worn when he released his first song more than a decade ago, Hozier’s interactions with the crowd were mostly variations of the same phrases. He was either thanking the audience or commenting on the agedness of certain songs from his older albums which he performed. Still, his awkwardness highlighted the other more lengthy interactions in which he illustrated the deeper meanings behind the lyricism of some of his more impactful songs such as “Nina Cried Power” and “Take me to Church.” The short speeches about his songs allowed the audience to connect to the otherwise inaccessible lyricism.
After performing a powerful rendition of the popular track “Take me to Church,” which had fans singing along enthusiastically enough to drown out Hozier himself, he and his band left the stage. But soon, after the audience’s loud demands for an encore, Hozier walked back on stage and performed more songs, before finally ending the show with a heartfelt speech, thanking fans. He ended the concert with “Work Song,” a fan favorite that allowed the audience to savor their last moments with Hozier and his incredible band.
Overall, a harmonious setlist joined by passionate fans exceeded expectations. Even though Hozier found it hard to connect with the audience deeply, he bridged the gap by sharing his love for music through his meaningful explanations as well as the passion with which he delivered his music. The “Unreal Unearth” tour gave the audience a perfect combination of nostalgia and the experience of hearing Hozier’s new songs live, weaving an unforgettable experience.
4/5
