As Hozier’s voice soared through the Kia Forum arena, one word immediately came into my mind: magical.
I am a relatively new fan of Hozier; other than his viral songs like “Too Sweet” and “Take Me To Church,” I didn’t know any of his other songs. I began listening to his music after a friend introduced me several months ago, and although I am no vocalist, I was blown away by his voice. Immediately, I booked a ticket to his 2024 Unreal Unearth World Tour at Kia Forum.
Before the concert, my only concern was whether Hozier had the stage presence to make this a memorable concert experience. As an avid concert goer, I had high expectations for the Irish singer. However, all my doubts went away the moment he sang “De Selby (Part 1),” the first song in his setlist. I knew immediately that this was going to be a phenomenal concert.
His voice was incredibly clear and filled every corner of the stadium. I was surprised by how minimalistic Hozier’s outfit was, considering how large the concert was. He wore a black denim jacket with a white shirt and black slacks. Looking back on it, I appreciate how the simplicity of his appearance allowed the audience to focus solely on his voice.
His music is a mix of folk, soul, blues, indie rock, R&B and gospel. Hozier’s wide range of genres made the experience even more enjoyable as he transitioned from the haunting melodies in “I, Carrion (Icarian)” to the hard-hitting beats in “Eat Your Young.”
Throughout his concert, Hozier used a variety of instruments, wowing the audience with his incredible knowledge of music. I was stunned by his ability to play an instrument and sing so beautifully at the same time. His band members, Alex Ryan, Kellen Wenrich, Larissa Maestro, Ryan Connors, Joy Morales, Rory Doyle, Melissa McMillan and Kamilah, did an excellent job at enhancing Hozier’s voice. Although I missed Allison Russel’s opening performance, Hozier invited her back onto the stage to sing “Work Song” with him during the encore. Her voice was amazing, and I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future.
Hozier’s kind and humble personality also created a positive concert environment. Throughout the show, he never stopped expressing his gratitude for his team, his band members and the audience.
Overall, I believe this was one of my favorite concerts, despite its lack of special effects. The main attractions of this concert were Hozier’s incredible vocal and musical talents, and for the first time in my long history of concerts, that was all the artist needed to make this an unforgettable experience.
