Hozier’s voice filled Liberty Hall to the rafters last night

Hozier
Liberty Hall, Lawrence
Monday, February 23

Listening to Hozier’s self-titled debut, one may marvel most at his voice and delivery. It’s apt that the Irish singer-songwriter’s biggest song is “Take Me to Church,” because his music is, at its base, gospel-tinged soul. Of course, the question is: With all the quasi-religious aspects to Hozier’s music, how reverential is his audience?

Lawrence was definitely ready for Hozier last night. The line was around the corner and reached past the Raven Bookstore by 5 p.m., with bundled-up fans eagerly anticipating doors for the long sold-out show. Once inside, the response to every single song was intense. It’s impressive to think that this artist with one album has gone from the “Huh? Who is he?” response to his performance on Saturday Night Live back in October to a rapturous reception in such a short time.

On album, Hozier seems less a modern performer than a British folkie circa 1968, and that dirge-like aspect of his music is a real downer. His debut LP serves primarily as a showcase for his voice. Live, however, he puts some grit in his music, and really blows it up into something big. There’s two backup singers, a keyboardist and a cellist — Hozier’s not just some guy with a guitar. When everything’s working together, this is a band, playing big soul numbers. If there’d been a horn section, this wouldn’t have been out of place on a Motown revue.

The most enjoyable song Hozier does is the one I first heard from him, “Jackie & Wilson,” which succeeds because it takes his delivery and goes somewhere other than big, soaring vocals. Granted, it does have those, but it’s also the manner in which Hozier lets his guitar fuzz out and have a little room to work. That’s the means by which the blues work their way in and let your hips grind a little, rather than just gently sway.

The music can seem a little chaste at times, so it’s nice to know the man has at least a hint of sin about his music to round things out when he performs live. While “Angel of Death and the Codeine Scene” or “In A Week” still do an excellent job of showcasing what a voice Hozier possesses, but it’s songs like “Jackie & Wilson” or “To Be Alone” that make him an entertainer. It’s certainly notable that “Take Me to Church” was an audience sing-along, but the cheers which greeted “Jackie & Wilson” were louder. “Church” may be the big hit, but it’s far less fun.

You can tell that this is the work of a new performer, though. For all of Hozier’s self-assurance while singing, the set was a little uneven in terms of pacing. Smack-dab in the middle of the set came two very slow, very quiet numbers. “In A Week,” performed with Hozier on guitar, accompanied by cellist Alana Henderson had the crowd absolutely silent. They stood stock-still, without a word or murmur, until it was done. Such was not the case for Skip James’ “Illinois Blues,” which was treated as a bathroom break by most near me. A shame, really, as it really allowed Hozier’s guitar playing — especially his finger-picking — to shine more brightly than it otherwise had.

Once Hozier figures out a way to balance the folk and the soul into something more cohesive, he’s going to be unstoppable. As it is, he’s a pleasant young man with a lovely voice who’s doing an excellent job of trying his absolute best, and that was certainly enough for the packed crowd last night.

Hozier setlist
Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene
From Eden
Jackie and Wilson
Someone New
Sedated
It Will Come Back
In a Week
Illinois Blues (Skip James cover)
Like Real People Do
Arsonist’s Lullabye
To Be Alone
Foreigner’s God
Take Me to Church
—-
Cherry Wine
Run
1 Thing (Amerie cover)
Work Song

Leftovers: Openers Asgeir played quite pretty music, but also pretty unremarkable. For a band that’s evidently a huge deal in their native Iceland, they didn’t do much to acquit themselves. It was all high choruses, and indiscernible verses, and essentially Sigur Ros Lite. The audience talked right over them, and could barely be bothered to clap, despite some sonic waves which washed repeatedly over them.