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Review & setlist: Hozier rises above the heat at Fenway
“You guys do this every summer?” the Irish singer asked the sweltering Fenway crowd.
Hozier, with Amble and Gigi Perez, at Fenway Park, Monday, June 23.
Hozier was “Too Sweet” to Boston, treating the city with a beyond memorable concert in a ruthless heat.
Irish singer Hozier’s voice echoed across Fenway Park on June 23 at his “Unreal Unearth” Boston tour stop. The packed venue of fans excitedly joined the artist as he sang some of his most popular songs and reached far into the archives to sing deep cuts from his early years during one of the hottest days of the year.
“You guys do this every summer?” joked Hozier, putting his hair in a bun and rolling up his long sleeves. “Just kidding, it’s beautiful.”
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The heat wave did not stop Hozier fans from lining up to get a glimpse of the artist’s first of two days playing at the venue.
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Andrew Hozier-Byrne, known in the public eye as Hozier, rose to fame after his debut single “Take Me to Church,” which explored homosexuality and the Catholic Church. The striking visuals of the music video launched Hozier to fame, and his albums to reach critical recognition, with many of his songs continuing to take social justice stances.
It’s something that also came across when he addressed the audience Monday night. “You know, it’s so often that we take our vote for granted, we take our democratic voices for granted, and we forget just that it’s something that had to be worked for,” he said at one point.
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“Over these last two years, we’ve been traveling and encouraging people … to use their democratic voices to speak out from that place of compassion, that place of empathy, and speak out for peace, speak out for a ceasefire in the Middle East, and a meaningful … peaceful political solution that would secure peace and safety and security for everybody in that region,” he continued, to cheers from the crowd.
Hozier talks about democracy at Fenway
Video courtesy of Dess Wilson
As far as his music goes, Hozier walks between blurred genre lines with a blend of blues, folk and soul, with a splash of alternative pop ballads showcased on his latest album Unreal Unearth, which is the namesake of the tour.
Noting that backstage he was told that he is the first Irish-born artist to play Fenway, Hozier took time to speak to his heritage, singing “De Selby (Part 1)” in Gaelic, and accompanying himself on the flute during a Van Morrison cover, “Sweet Thing.”
“I couldn’t tell you what a joy and an honor it is to be at this landmark,” said Hozier.
Two artists opened for Hozier at his Fenway Park show. First was folk music trio Amble, who set the crowd up with their storytelling style. Following the trio came Gigi Perez, an alternative singer-songwriter who went viral recently for her “lesbian love story” tunes, and who brought the audience to their feet by embodying the soul of the city as she spoke of her time at Berkeley.
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But it was Hozier who brought the packed park audience to their feet for hours. He concluded the show by bringing back Gigi Perez to sing a rendition of “Work Song” and thank his entire crew.
“I just want to thank you for letting me speak from the heart and letting me witness the kind of everyday good will of Boston,” said Hozier.
Setlist for Hozier at Fenway Park, Boston, June 23, 2025:
- Nobody’s Soldier
- Jackie and Wilson
- Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene
- Dinner & Diatribes
- Work Song (with Gigi Perez)
- Would That I
- Eat Your Young
- Like Real People Do
- Sweet Thing (Van Morrison cover, first time performing)
- De Selby (Part 1)
- De Selby (Part 2)
- Francesca
- It Will Come Back
- Too Sweet
- Someone New
- Almost (Sweet Music)
- Movement
- Take Me to Church
Encore:
- Cherry Wine
- Unknown/Nth
- Nina Cried Power
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