Blog #180: Hozier

Fairly impulsively, I decided that I wanted to go to a concert, so I somehow snatched a last-minute ticket to see Hozier tonight. Here are some FAQs associated with my concert-going experience:

Q: Who did you go with?

A: Myself.

Q: Was it weird being there by yourself?

A: Not at all. In fact, I often prefer going to concerts alone. Letting out my embarrassing, convulsive dance moves is easier around strangers than people who actually know me.

Q: Where was it at?

A: A venue called Metro which is near Wrigley Field.

Q: How was it?

A: It was amazing! Hozier is an incredible artist, one of my all-time favorites, and he puts on a brilliant show.

Q: How does he sound live?

A: Somehow even better than recorded. His voice doesn't sound strained in the least, but instead moves through his vocal range like freaking butter. He made it look and sound easy, and that ease made his voice better than his recorded vocals.

Q: What's his stage presence like?

A: I think at his core he's kind of an awkward fellow, and so he let his music speak for him rather than spending a lot of time talking. That said, when he did interact with the audience, it was charming and it felt like having a conversation with him.

Q: Were you close to the stage?

A: Close enough to see the sweat beads on his forehead.

Q: Did you cry?

A: Why yes, in fact I did. Once, very briefly, when he sang "Work Song," then again for a decent part of his performance of "Cherry Wine," which he performed completely solo as a one-song encore. Then also in the car once I started driving home.

Q: Why did you cry..?

A: Good question. I mean first of all his music is just hauntingly beautiful. I have listened to his music consistently for years and have never gotten tired of a single song, because they are simply so beautiful. The beauty, paired with the atmosphere of actually being there so close to him while he performed it, plus the association I have with his music to my siblings... that's a lethal combination.

Q: What makes his songs so beautiful? A: EVERYTHING! He uses unique time signatures (like "From Eden" which is set in 5/4, a very uncommon time signature) and even more uniquely layered rhythms, which keeps everything interesting. Added on top of this are his amazing vocals, often harmonized in multiple parts by talented backup singers. Finally, his lyrics themselves are just... aghfjhgh. (You know what I mean?) The thought that always comes to my mind is that he is able to convey so much with so little. His seemingly simple and short phrases are often the most compelling, and display the most diverse emotional complexities. Lyrically, I would argue he's one of the best artists I've ever heard.

Q: Was it worth the money?

A: Oh yeah definitely.

Q: Is he actually immortal?

A: Oh yeah definitely.

Q: Are you in love with him?

A: Oh yeah definitely.