HOZIER AT HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM IN NEW YORK CITY
Red lights illuminate the entire room. Someone braces the stage, and one tall silhouette is all we see. Acoustic guitar and sweet violin notes filled the air. His deep, powerful voice sounds like a whisper for his first song, “As It Was”. Hozier was ready to wow New York City for the second of five sold out shows.
Red became blue while one silhouette turned into seven shining faces. Hozier’s hands went up above his head, starting a clap the crowd soon echoed. “Dinner & Diatribes” picked up the tempo with a folksy groove you couldn’t help but stomp your heel to. “Nina Cried Power” was next. This is when I noticed something was different on stage. Since I saw him last year in September, a new LED screen joined the set, acting as an ever changing backdrop. A montage of clips touching on social issues regarding violence, human rights, and several protests played on loop.
“I need to make sure these are working,” Hozier says while pointing to his neck. “Need to make sure these vocal chords are good, especially since you’re all living in New York,” he laughed as he plucked the chords of “Someone New”. Blue turned to bright yellow as big wooden windows appeared behind the band. The line of light columns glowed the warmest yellows, another piece I vividly remember from his last show. His lighting in September left me in awe, and I have to say this show already had me astonished.
Hozier thanked us again for spending our Friday night with him. “I don’t know the amount of people in this room, but it means I’m living for that many more Fridays. Thank you for being here.” Slow hums rang as “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene” began, and angelic harmonies stole the chorus. He didn’t forget other fan favorites including “Take Me To Church”, “Almosts (Sweet Music)”, and “Work Song”, along with a brand new track, “Jackboot Jump” which was released just a day prior. With a band as talented as his and dedicated fans with tickets to all five shows, Hozier definitely won’t forget the end of his North American leg.