After welcoming Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, Nathaniel Rateliff, Madison Cunningham, AllisonRussell, and more during his headlining set at Newport Folk Festival on Friday, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier continued his Unreal Unearth Tour with a sold-out show at Bethel Woods Center For The Arts featuring an opening set by Allison Russell on Saturday.
This has already proven to be a landmark year for Hozier due in part to the success of his song “Too Sweet”. The song was featured on his Unheard EP, which was comprised of four songs originally intended for his 2023 concept album Unreal Unearth—”Too Sweet”, “Wildflower and Barley” featuring Allison Russell, “Empire Now”, and “Fare Well”. Like the album for which they were meant, each song was inspired by Dante Alighieri‘s nine circles of hell from The Divine Comedy.
“These are songs that might have made it to the circles of gluttony, limbo, violence, and the outward ‘ascent’ respectively,” Hozier said of the EP.
“Too Sweet” was Hozier’s first song to debut in the top five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 when it dropped in March, ultimately climbing up the chart to become his first number-one hit (his 2013 song “Take Me to Church”, which closed Saturday’s main set, peaked at number two).
“It’s a song that did not (come out originally) because there was a choice between two songs for the album, and ‘Too Sweet’ was kind of placed to the side. So I didn’t necessarily expect this kind of reaction.” Hozier said in a recent interview with Variety.
“It’s a very sweet landmark after 10 years of a career,” he continued, “and I feel very fortunate glad [sic.] that I’m still able to do this and still finding new audiences. It’s encouraging, and a nice way to celebrate a 10th anniversary.”
Saturday’s show was characterized by a laid-back vibe despite the sizable audience, with frequent interactions between Hozier and fans. He stopped the song “Like Real People Do” short due to a guitar malfunction, joking, “This is how you know I’m playing live,” before welcoming Allison Russell to sing her part on “Wildflower and Barley”.
For the encore, which began with “Cherry Wine”, Hozier moved to a different part of the venue to give fans in the back a better view. He also took a moment to express his wish “to see Palestine free from occupation, free from violence” before starting “Nina Cried Power” and brought Russell back out to help close the show with “Work Song”.
Click below to view photos of Hozier and Allison Russell at Bethel Woods Center For The Arts courtesy of photographer Bahram Foroughi.
Saturday’s show fell at the midpoint of Hozier’s Unreal Unearth Tour, which began back in April and stretches into the fall. The tour continues in Cleveland following festival appearances at Lollapalooza, Hinterland, and Osheaga. For a full list of upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, head here.
Hozier – “Too Sweet” – 7/27/24
[Video: The Markpee]
Hozier – “Take Me To Church” – 7/27/24
[Video: The Markpee]
Setlist: Hozier | Bethel Woods Center For The Arts | 7/27/24
Set: De Selby (Part 1), De Selby (Part 2), Jackie and Wilson, From Eden, Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene, Dinner & Diatribes, Francesca, It Will Come Back; I, Carrion (Icarian); Abstract (Psychopomp), Like Real People Do, Wildflower and Barley (with Allison Russell), Would that I, Too Sweet, Almost (Sweet Music), Eat Your Young, Movement, Take Me to Church
Encore: Cherry Wine, Unknown / Nth, Nina Cried Power, Work Song (with Allison Russell)
The post Hozier Draws Sell-Out Crowd To Bethel Woods [Photos/Videos] appeared first on L4LM.
