Latest news with #AndrewJohnHozier-Byrne
Calgary Herald
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Bluesfest Day 2: Hozier demonstrates his musicianship and calls for peace
Article content It's easy to dismiss Hozier as a sweet-voiced balladeer who's had a few meme-friendly riffs in his career, and managed to ride them to superstardom. Article content Well, his main-stage concert at Bluesfest on Friday proved otherwise. Article content The Irish baritone with the mutli-octave range appeared to be some sort of orchestral pop genius who surrounded himself with top-notch musicians (on strings, keyboards, backing vocals, percussion and more), and made sure that each one played a part in building the song to a muscular peak. No wimpy folk songs from this crew of pros. Article content Article content Article content What's more, Hozier got political at one point, a risky move at any event these days. He first emphasized the importance of voting, then took a stand for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and a path to self-determination for Palestine. As the band maintained a loose jam behind him, Hozier's impassioned monologue drew a parallel with the Irish experience. Article content Article content 'Self-determination and statehood (are things) my country asked for 100 years ago in Northern Ireland,' he declared, urging people to reach out to each other with compassion. He praised what he'd seen in Canada. 'Everyone here is coming together for a good time, and looking out for each other,' he said. 'That's what I'm talking about.' Article content Along with the ever-changing video images and dazzling lighting design, it was a near-religious experience for the vast crowd of all ages, from babes to elders, packed on the front lawn of the Canadian War Museum. Arms in the air, cell phones alight, thousands of voices rose in unison to the infectious melodies. Article content Article content 'I take my whiskey nee-eee-eat,' the entire crowd sang, gleefully echoing the oh-so-familiar motif of Too Sweet. Article content Of course, Hozier's voice is a remarkable instrument on its own, too, as we were reminded during an acoustic segment that included a tender Cherry Wine, one of his first hits, and Unknown, a more recent, equally Even without the lush accompaniment of the band, his soaring voice radiated an emotional warmth that truly stirred the soul. Article content The 35-year-old (born Andrew John Hozier-Byrne) was no slouch in the crowd-engagement part of the show either. He worked up a sweat doing a lap of the vast plaza, then dashed up the middle aisle to the opening strains of Work Song, leaving a ripple of excitement among fans behind him.
Vancouver Sun
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Bluesfest Day 2: Hozier demonstrates his musicianship and calls for peace
It's easy to dismiss Hozier as a sweet-voiced balladeer who's had a few meme-friendly riffs in his career, and managed to ride them to superstardom. Well, his main-stage concert at Bluesfest on Friday proved otherwise. The Irish baritone with the mutli-octave range appeared to be some sort of orchestral pop genius who surrounded himself with top-notch musicians (on strings, keyboards, backing vocals, percussion and more), and made sure that each one played a part in building the song to a muscular peak. No wimpy folk songs from this crew of pros. What's more, Hozier got political at one point, a risky move at any event these days. He first emphasized the importance of voting, then took a stand for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and a path to self-determination for Palestine. As the band maintained a loose jam behind him, Hozier's impassioned monologue drew a parallel with the Irish experience. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Self-determination and statehood (are things) my country asked for 100 years ago in Northern Ireland,' he declared, urging people to reach out to each other with compassion. He praised what he'd seen in Canada. 'Everyone here is coming together for a good time, and looking out for each other,' he said. 'That's what I'm talking about.' Along with the ever-changing video images and dazzling lighting design, it was a near-religious experience for the vast crowd of all ages, from babes to elders, packed on the front lawn of the Canadian War Museum. Arms in the air, cell phones alight, thousands of voices rose in unison to the infectious melodies. 'I take my whiskey nee-eee-eat,' the entire crowd sang, gleefully echoing the oh-so-familiar motif of Too Sweet. Of course, Hozier's voice is a remarkable instrument on its own, too, as we were reminded during an acoustic segment that included a tender Cherry Wine, one of his first hits, and Unknown, a more recent, equally Even without the lush accompaniment of the band, his soaring voice radiated an emotional warmth that truly stirred the soul. The 35-year-old (born Andrew John Hozier-Byrne) was no slouch in the crowd-engagement part of the show either. He worked up a sweat doing a lap of the vast plaza, then dashed up the middle aisle to the opening strains of Work Song, leaving a ripple of excitement among fans behind him. Speaking of warmth, it was a blistering hot one, and must have been even hotter on stage. Hozier mentioned the temperature a couple of times, first thanking the universe for the beautiful day in Ottawa but also noting that he wasn't 'built' for the heat. At least he didn't have to deal with the direct sun that baked the audience earlier in the evening, before the sun set. Shade was in short supply during the opening sets by Charlotte Day Wilson and Ottawa's own Claude Munson, and cold water and sunscreen were coveted items. In fact, across the site there were long lines for any type of non-alcoholic hydration, whether it was a lemonade stand, a water fountain in the museum or an outdoor refill station dispensing dishwater-warm water. Bluesfest continues until July 20, under a heatwave that's expected to be in effect for a few more days. On Saturday (July 12), the festival presents an evening of modern rock on the main-stage, featuring hardcore Baltimore punks Turnstile, indie-rock legends the Pixies and stoner-rock upstart Kurt Vile and the Violators. For complete schedule information, go to . lsaxberg@
Ottawa Citizen
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
Bluesfest Day 2: Hozier demonstrates his musicianship and calls for peace
Article content It's easy to dismiss Hozier as a sweet-voiced balladeer who's had a few meme-friendly riffs in his career, and managed to ride them to superstardom. Article content The Irish baritone with the mutli-octave range appeared to be some sort of orchestral pop genius who surrounded himself with top-notch musicians (on strings, keyboards, backing vocals, percussion and more), and made sure that each one played a part in building the song to a muscular peak. No wimpy folk songs from this crew of pros. Article content Article content Article content What's more, Hozier got political at one point, a risky move at any event these days. He first emphasized the importance of voting, then took a stand for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and a path to self-determination for Palestine. As the band maintained a loose jam behind him, Hozier's impassioned monologue drew a parallel with the Irish experience. Article content Article content 'Self-determination and statehood (are things) my country asked for 100 years ago in Northern Ireland,' he declared, urging people to reach out to each other with compassion. He praised what he'd seen in Canada. 'Everyone here is coming together for a good time, and looking out for each other,' he said. 'That's what I'm talking about.' Article content Along with the ever-changing video images and dazzling lighting design, it was a near-religious experience for the vast crowd of all ages, from babes to elders, packed on the front lawn of the Canadian War Museum. Arms in the air, cell phones alight, thousands of voices rose in unison to the infectious melodies. Article content 'I take my whiskey nee-eee-eat,' the entire crowd sang, gleefully echoing the oh-so-familiar motif of Too Sweet. Article content Of course, Hozier's voice is a remarkable instrument on its own, too, as we were reminded during an acoustic segment that included a tender Cherry Wine, one of his first hits, and Unknown, a more recent, equally Even without the lush accompaniment of the band, his soaring voice radiated an emotional warmth that truly stirred the soul. Article content The 35-year-old (born Andrew John Hozier-Byrne) was no slouch in the crowd-engagement part of the show either. He worked up a sweat doing a lap of the vast plaza, then dashed up the middle aisle to the opening strains of Work Song, leaving a ripple of excitement among fans behind him.
