This past Tuesday, Mountain View, California welcomed an enthusiastic mass of flowy skirts swishing atop the laces of heavy Dr. Martens combat boots marching into the 22,000-seating Shoreline Amphitheatre in attendance for Irish folk singer Hozier’s “Unreal Unearth Tour.”
A warm Silicon Valley welcome to Hozier indeed, as the artist celebrated his third studio album, “Unreal Unearth” with the largest audience he’s ever performed to in California. In return, Hozier gifted attendees with an unforgettable hour-and-a-half setlist featuring an array of music sure to transport listeners to the lush green hills of Hozier’s hometown.
Although Hozier is predominantly recognized as the soulful voice behind the 2013 success “Take Me to Church,” the singer-songwriter is also known for his effortlessly luxurious curly brown hair (usually styled into a man bun), his impressive stature at 6-foot 6-inches tall and his mastery of the acoustic guitar.
Hozier brings a unique passion and rawness to his vocals, instrumentals, and lyricism both in studio and on stage that draws new listeners in and keeps loyal fans coming back for more. His opener Allison Russell possesses the same natural ability.
Although Russell only physically took the amphitheater stage for half an hour, the impact she left on attendees at Shoreline will definitely withstand longer than 30 minutes. Showcasing a silky smooth falsetto, jovial stage presence and a stunningly bright orange jumpsuit, Russell’s performance was pure joy.
When it came time for Hozier to grace the stage, he did so with an almost comical humbleness. Wearing a denim jacket he’s had since the release of his first album in 2014 and giving a friendly wave to the audience as he cooly sauntered to his weapon of choice: an acoustic guitar with a guitar strap displaying his name in the same print used on the “Unreal Unearth” album cover.
Watching the one and only Hozier don his acoustic guitar and walk up to the microphone stand was like watching Van Gogh pick up his paintbrush and focus his eye on an unfinished Starry Night: the master is at work.
Fittingly, Hozier begins the show with the opener of his latest album “De Selby (Part 1),” a fairytale-like song featuring lyrics in both English and Gaelic. Like moths to a flame, the crowd was hypnotized by the Irish singer’s deep, dreamy voice.
This trance was pleasantly broken by the funky bass riff that kickstarts “De Selby (Part 2).” The first two songs of Hozier’s setlist may share similar names, but they could not be more different. Soft plucky guitar chords are exchanged for a groovy drum beat that is impossible not to dance to.
Hozier’s setlist for the “Unreal Unearth Tour” offers a buffet of variety, there is truly something for everyone.
For fans attracted to songs that feel like skipping through the Irish countryside, there’s “Jackie and Wilson” and “Would That I.” For those more interested in compelling ballads describing painful devotion to a lover, he lends “Francesca” and “Unknown/Nth.” And for casual listeners who only know the TikTok hit, which was Hozier’s first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, don’t worry, he plays “Too Sweet.”
Hozier’s “Unreal Unearth Tour” is more than a victory lap for his third studio album, it is a celebration of human emotion. The passion of Hozier’s setlist will unearth a part of your soul, or maybe it’ll be an excuse to unearth the long skirt from the back of your closet. Either way, do yourself a favor, and experience Hozier’s unreal discography live in concert.