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Hozier wowed a sold-out Akron Civic Theatre on Thursday evening.  The tall Irishman and his crack seven-piece backing band are out supporting his latest release Wasteland, Baby!

 

Walking out by himself with an acoustic guitar, Hozier opened the show with “As It Was” and was later joined by his band halfway through the song.

 

Hozier may be the guy out front, but everyone in his band sang and played an instrument or two.  It was refreshing to see an artist utilize his band in such a way. 

 

After playing “Nina Cried Power,” Hozier addressed the audience by saying “Thank you for being here in Akron, under a night sky.”  Referencing the starlit ceiling of the beautiful Akron Civic Theater. 

 

Many songs from his debut album like “To Be Alone” and “Someone New” as well as tunes from his latest lp such as “Talk” and “Strike” filled the twenty song set list.

 

Telling the crowd that he hoped to release some new music in the next couple of weeks, Hozier treated the audience with a brand new song titled “Jack Boot Jump.”  However, he requested that the crowd act “in good faith” and not record it and upload it to YouTube or other social media.  

 

Afterwards, he then asked the audience to sing along with him on “From Eden” and they readily obliged.

 

“Almost (Sweet Music),” “Movement” and the multi-platinum selling, number one smash “Take Me To Church” ended the set.

 

When Hozier came back out for the encore, he told the audience that “An amazing amount of music has come out of Akron, including one of my heros Dan Aurbach and The Black Keys.”  He and his band then closed out the show with “Cherry Wine” and “Work Song.”

 

It was a great night of music in one of the most beautiful venues in northeastern Ohio.

 

Review and photos by Greg Drugan