REVIEW: Hozier @ O2 Academy

Down at the O2 Academy, there’s a sense of anticipation in the air. 

Despite it being a Wednesday mid-week show, the room is packed and the temperature is high. 

I head to the bar for a refreshment in the form of an extortionately priced beer, and back into the crowd to swelter again. 

Groups of friends, couples and family gather around waiting for the man with long hair and a beautiful voice; his name is Hozier. 

He graces the stage and its immediately clear he’s got these fans in the palm of his hand. 

Hozier kicks off this Sheffield set with ‘Eat Your Young’, one of his latest releases. It’s lapped up by the crowd who are singing alongside him throughout the entire track. 

As we move through the set, we reach one of my personal favourite Hozier songs. 

Next up it’s ‘Jackie and Wilson’. 

As soon as the band begin to play, the crowd instantly recognises it. This one may be a little heavier rock-wise but that beautiful, signature Hozier voice runs through the track like fine wine. 

His vocals never falter for a second; it’s just pure and utter joy hearing him sing. 

The crowd can’t get enough as they belt out the chorus:

She’s gonna save me / Call me baby / Run her hands through my hair / She’ll know me crazy / Soothe me daily / Better yet, she wouldn’t care / We’ll steal her Lexus / Be detectives / Ride ’round picking up clues / We’ll name our children, Jackie and Wilson / Raise ’em on rhythm and blues.

However, it’s important to note how sublime his band are, too. They’re giving everything to their instruments and it’s paying off as they create these gorgeous melodies and rhythms. 

As the night continues we’re treated to even more of Hozier with tracks like ‘To Be Alone’, ‘Cherry Wine’ and ‘Nobody’. 

Moving through the set list I notice how united the fans of this crowd have become. Some may be friends, some may be strangers but it’s clear there’s so much love in the air as groups clasp together and belt out each song as a unit. 

Next up, one of Hozier’s most popular tracks, ‘Someone New’. 

Clearly a fan favourite as I look across the sea of bodies singing along to each word louder than any previous song. 

Reaching towards the end of the set list, the moment many have been waiting for, the chart-topper, the signature Hozier song and arguable one of the most emotionally raw songs of the past decade; it’s ‘Take Me To Church’. 

What a complete and utter f**cking moment watching Hozier sing this live, and I think a lot of others in the room have the same thought. 

His voice has been amazing throughout this show but this really feels like something else, something extra; it’s Hozier’s moment to take the crowd and the limelight and own it. 

He did just that, and then some. 

As we reach the chorus, the crowd alongside our singer belt out the lyrics:

“Take me to church / I’ll worship like a edog at the shrine of your lies / I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife / Offer me that deathless death / Good God, let me give you my life”

Hozier finishes his steel city set with ‘Work Song’. 

It feels bitter-sweet, it’s sad the show had to end but what a great show and surely one I’ll remember for life. 

Thank you, Hozier.