Take Me to Church: Hozier sanctifies the Electric Factory

Photo by Jeremy Zimmerman | http://jeremy-zim.com/

I’m trying to be more poptimistic this year. Those that know me, or regularly read my pieces here, or follow me on the consuming void that is Twitter know of my general disdain for popular music. So it’s with the spirit of diversity in mind that I found myself standing in a packed, sold-out crowd on Saturday night at the Electric Factory, getting churched by the one and only Hozier.

The show got started with a short set from British singer/songwriter George Ezra, who is exactly one year and one day younger than I am and makes me feel all kinds of ways about what I’m doing with my life.

Featuring a deep, resonantly soulful voice uncharacteristic of his scrawny frame, his ballads charmed the audience—many of whom already knew the lyrics to his songs. Channeling the effortless charistma of Dylan et al, Ezra stepped smartly through his brief time on stage, bluesing in fine form. With an already sold-out show at the Troc next month, it seems Ezra’s star is certainly on the ascent.

Without much ado at all, Andrew Hozier-Byrne and his band hit the stage at 9:30, sharp. He wasted no time, kicking off his set with his most upbeat selection of tracks — “Angel of Small Death and the Codine Scene” into “From Eden” into “Jackie and Wilson” followed up with “Someone New.” The packed house seemed to know most of these, or at least were willing to jam out as the band demonstrated that they were as essential to the songs as Hozier himself. Strings, keys and drums all tightly wound into an explosively passionate mix. “To Be Alone” found Hozier-Byrne’s pipes pushed to the limit, but still shining.

Mellowing out a bit, the middle of the set turned towards the quieter and more introspective side. While his softer songs such as “In a Week”—a brilliantly haunting duet—showcase his equally sharp lyricism, it seemed like the audience at the Factory couldn’t care less. Moms and teens alike were babbling on obnoxiously, seemingly unaffected by the spectacle unfolding before their eyes.

The end of the set brought back the fire, however, and fanned the flames of the audience’s desire. Closing out with smash hit “Take Me to Church” came as no surprise—as was the fact that seemingly everyone in the building knew the words.

Many people hit the road after he finished the song, they were satisfied. And hey, as long as they were happy, that’s fine, right? Isn’t that what pop is all about?

Check out a photo gallery from the show, the setlist and an assortment of fan videos below.

Setlist
Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene
From Eden
Jackie and Wilson
Someone New
To Be Alone
It Will Come Back
In a Week
Illinois Blues (Skip James cover)
Like Real People Do
Arsonist’s Lullaby
Sedated
Foreigner’s God
Take Me to Church

Encore:
Cherry Wine
Run
Problem (Ariana Grande cover)
Work Song