By: Janel Spiegel

 

HOZIER

Wasteland Baby! Tour 2019

Wind Creek Event Center, November 16, 2019

“It’s not the wakin’, it’s the risin.” Nina Cried Power- Hozier

 

It was freezing tonight in Bethlehem, PA.  as  Singer/Songwriter Angie McMahon ( https://www.angiemcmahon.com/ ) opened for Hozier. She sang a few songs and talked to the excited crowd. Angie sang “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac. She is a talented musician and got the crowd ready for Hozier.

Hozier came out and went right into “As it Was.” His music is Rock N Roll, Blues and, soul influenced. If Led Zeppelin, Muddy Waters, Nina Samone decided to pick a blend of different music they would want to listen to, Hozier would be the one. You could add some Stevie Wonder and mix in some Stevie Ray Vaughan with Robert Johnson’s soulfulness. Hozier is creative, lasting and makes you feel what he sings. “To Be Alone” is a beautiful song. You can tell he feels what he writes about. He’s gritty and it’s just him and his band. 

 

The crowd was singing along and so many people were into every song. Hozier was even impressed. He talked to the crowd and he was happy that everyone was singing. He sang an unreleased song, “Jack Boot Jump.” He asked us not to film it and you saw a sea of cell phones disappear. He talked about the influence Woodie Guthrie had on the song. Hozier wanted us to be “present” and in the moment. 

 

I talked to quite a few seriously dedicated Hozier fans. I met one girl who said she came from Virginia to see him again. People come from all over and I listened to quite a few stories. Hozier sang, “Would That I,” “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene”, “Someone New” which is such a positive, beautiful song. You can fall in love every day. It’s a great concept.

 

The crowd was ecstatic, and people were into this show. Singing along, dancing and just having a blast. The Wind Creek Event Center folks got a shout out from Angie and from Hozier. They did a great job with this sold-out show. 

Hozier sang, “Shrike”, “Jackie and Wilson.” His band is incredible. Hozier’s voice is one of a kind. His bass player, Alex Ryan, Rory Doyle is his drummer. Rachel Beauregard, Emily Kohavi, Jessica Berry, Kristen Rogers and, Cormac Curren is a keyboardist and arranger. 

He sang “Moment’s Silence (Common Toungue)” and it was as if this man was channeling Robert Johnson and playing guitar. He’s a fascinating creature to watch. He sang “Movement,” a sexy, blues woven song. It is beautiful and had every person at Wind Creek moving! He writes songs with stories that you could hear over and over. He is telling beautiful stories. Hozier’s songs have gritty, intense guitar riffs. You feel all the blues he intertwines in his songs. 

He ended the evening by taking Bethlehem to church. He sang, “Take Me to Church.” It was incredible. This show was wild and vibrant in music. He has power in his voice and what an incredible show. If you haven’t seen him in concert, go see him. Get those tickets and let him take you to the church of HOZIER. 

 

Check out HOZIER
https://hozier.com/

Check out Events at the WIND CREEK EVENT CENTER.
https://www.windcreekeventcenter.com/

 

Interviews & Articles By: Janel Spiegel