The rain drizzles around Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena, but inside is dry and warm, as Hozier prepares to bring his Irish folk-rock to the sold-out arena.
Joy Oladokun starts the evening (15 November) with her country-tinged folk, telling jokes and stories like a seasoned veteran. "One of the backstage managers thought I was crew, and I thought, why not. It's honest work."I've grown to be a guarded person, and I'm trying to get better," she shares on a more serious note. "I grew up Christian and I believe in God. My parents' love changed me and I'm standing here because of it. I wrote this song about their marriage – 'Sweet Symphony'. They really love each other.
"To all the parents loving their kids well, thank you; and if you're a kid with a sh.tty parent, I love you, in a weird way. I'm your daddy now," she laughs. Her guitar skills shine as her sentimental lyrics sit atop a powerhouse vocal. Joy pauses so a crowd member can receive attention, before continuing.
Joy Oladokun - image © Ilgin Aykut
"I started imagining what life would be like if I was born in a different body," she breaks with emotion. "Then I wrote this song about hope. It's about the smell of coffee and cuddling dogs, the sh.t that makes you stay the day."
"Somebody needs ya," she sings from 'Look Up' and it's a beautiful reminder to keep going, life can get better.
The air tingles with anticipation, as blue lights fill the stage. The backdrop is granulated, appearing like an Antarctic ice wall. The lights slowly drop as Hozier appears a shadow in the darkness, small specks of light dropping on him.
Hozier - image © Ilgin Aykut
The backdrops is starlit, as he sings, "at last" from 'De Selby (Part 1)'. The solo guitar is slowly joined by a violin, droning bass and the thuds of the kick drum, building intensely. The song transitions as a circle of lights appears behind. The next track, 'De Selby (Part 2)', couldn’t be more different, the entire band thrash through a heavy rock number, Hozier transitioning to a shiny black electric.
"Thank you so much Sydney," he says to deafening roars. "Thank you for this incredible welcome." 'Jackie And Wilson' starts a clap-along, Hozier sporting a wry smile as he glances around the room.
'Nobody's Soldier' follows the heavy rock vein as images play behind, ranging from turbulent water to volcanic fire and marching soldiers. 'Eat Your Young' starts with the band standing as blue silhouettes in the smoke. It brings a more dancey vibe as the crowd start swaying. The pianist plays an ornate solo, before the three vocalists join in an angelic harmony.
Hozier - image © Ilgin Aykut
'Dinner & Diatribes' is thrashingly heavy, the kick cracking through the air. Hozier asks the audience for a hair tie in an endearing concert first, before 'Francesca' traverses thick guitar layers with Hozier's delicate falsetto serving as backdrop. Four trees descend from the ceiling at the song's conclusion and remain for the rest of the show.
'It Will Come Back' features more tree imagery and blinding floodlights shoot right out at the audience in a choice that quickly becomes irritating. "You still feeling alright?" Hozier asks, introducing another one from the first record. "Why were you digging?" he sings gently from 'Like Real People Do', the backdrop sweeping lavender.
'I, Carrion' is simply stunning, Hozier's gentle heart burning through the acoustic number as every light in the room waves. 'From Eden' continues the sweetness, stars shooting across the backdrop, before 'Abstract (Psychopomp)' features a jazzy vocal from Hozier.
Hozier - image © Ilgin Aykut
'Would That I' causes an earth-shattering sing-along, and Hozier throws in 'Someone New', a rare addition into the set list, to allow himself time to recover.
'Too Sweet' flows along the colour burst backdrop, Hozier strolling across the stage, before 'Almost (Sweet Music)' is another great sing-along, with band solos playing through.
'Movement' is dark and tense, moving into 'Take Me To Church', which builds into a deafening, dissonant roar of sound. What appear like the flames of hell stream up on the riser and backdrop as Hozier pulls out a rainbow flag and drapes it over his mic stand. The ultimate vision of a LGBTI flag surrounded by flames prompts the question, what is Hozier conveying?
Hozier - image © Ilgin Aykut
He then takes to the back of the arena to a small stage to begin the encore with 'Cherry Wine', potentially his most moving piece of work.
Ranging from the heaviest of rock to the tenderest of folk, Hozier is certainly a versatile musician with a well-shaped craft. If you plan on seeing him, you better buckle up, because this show is a ride.
More photos from the concert.
