He thanked the crowd for bringing the sun, but i’d say he had something to do with it! Hozier is a performer, no strings (apart from the cello and violin player) attached, he just want to get up on stage, play guitar and sing, surrounded by great musicians. And that is what he did. To an audience of 45,000 who had stood happily in the rain smiling, waiting for the experience!

We arrived at Finsbury Park Tube station early, too early, found a local pub for a bite to eat. We were about to leave as the gates were opening when the skies opened, serious cats and dogs, the sort of rain that soaks you to the skin in less than a second, we had another drink. The rain subsided and we walked to the entrance only to get hit again by a downpour, it felt like a UK festival! The one thing I will say which was also relayed to me later on in a conversation with someone is the organisation was great. The processing of tickets, bag check and scanners was seamless and quick so hats off to those guys.

Inside had a mini-festival feel, a park enclosed by bars and food trucks with a wide array of choices. If youve ever been to concerts at Hyde Park it felt like that on a smaller scale. The ground was getting muddy and the rain intermittent but the ground covering was well thought out so I never felt unsteady in the mud. Enough about the weather!

I’d never been to Finsbury Park for a gig before so did not know what to expect. I didn’t see a special golden circle at the front, I was aware of a VIP entrance but certainly was not aware of a magical land, off to one side set apart form us mere mortals. What I did see was everything! We started off in the middle, directly in front of the sound tower, at times looking at a sea of brollies (umbrellas), but most of the time a clear view of the stage and support acts. Later on due to people packing in, some of them very tall although that is not their fault, and the need for sustenance (great noodles), we moved to the side of stage and in some ways had a clearer and better view.

Ye Vagabonds

First up was Ye Vagabonds, I’d never heard of them on arrival, there support slot only appeared that morning when we looked at stage times online. What the web says is: ‘Ye Vagabonds is an Irish folk music duo consisting of Carlow-based brothers Diarmuid and Brían Mac Gloinn. Having been described as “being at the fore of a new wave of Irish folk”, they won three awards at the 2019 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards: Best Track, Best Album, and Best Folk Group.’ – Wikipedia.

What I know is those are some of the best harmonies I have heard in a while. Whether through practice or some blood based brotherly connection I will probably never know but its was “music to my ears”. I do have a love of folk music and cultural music that is passed along through generations, it’s the foundations of waht we all know and love. The mixture of established songs and there own compositions was great. Theres a reason they are four albums in and have received critical acclaim and folk award nominations in their native ireland. They had subtle but funny banter with the crowd and the supporting musicians on stage with them were excellent as well.

Lord Huron

The second support act on the bill was Lord Huron, I was looking forward to this! Referred to as Indie Rock or alternative but with country, western, folk rock, rock and roll, pop melodies thrown in so call them what you will. They are Lord Huron. Named after Lake Huron where lead singer and band founder Ben Schneider grew up visiting, and started as a solo project they are now a four piece. Mark Barry, Miguel Briseño and Tom Renaud majke up the band although six on stage, Brandon Walters, the extra guitarist added for the tour and Misty Boyce, with a stunning voice supporting on Vocals. Maybe its the fact that its started as a solo project which means its a passion project that gives it the edge, its done on their terms.

In black suits and a Stetson they took to the stage, a full neon animated western bar style backdrop adorning the video screen! By Hook or Crook they delivered. A twelve song strong set opening with ‘Meet Me in the Woods’ and closing with ‘The Night We Met’ and ‘Not Dead Yet’. They could have carried on another hour, high energy, just Good Ol’fun!

Brittany Howard

The third support of the day was Brittany Howard, I did remember seeing her on Jools Holland in the past. What a voice! and what a guitar player! She was a force, simply awesome! ‘She rose to prominence in the early 2010s for being the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and the primary songwriter of Alabama Shakes. Her work with Alabama Shakes garnered her four Grammy Awards (including Best Alternative Music Album) from nine nominations.’ – Wikipedia

Add to that a great band and two captivating backing singers and what a performance. We were treated to her gracing the stage again during Hoziers set to join him in singing a cover of Joe Cocker’s Feelin’ Alright.

And finally there was Hozier!

Worth the wait is an understatement!

No ‘Grand’ walk-on, big entrance, just walks on after his band with a big smile, says hello and start into ‘Eat Your Young’. He then continues to work through the next 19 songs with the same tenacity. An occasional chat with the crowd, a joke, an anecdote. Constantly praising and giving spotlight to the array of fantastic musicians that surround him. As the concert went on he introduced them, i can just imagine him as a travelling minstrel scouring the globe, meeting these people and saying come with me we have a concert to play. All given their time and theres a reason why. All combining to put on a spectacle that had approximately 45000 people having a single emotive experience.

For the encore, there was no disappearing for 5 minutes with the audience chanting ‘one more song’, he was gone seconds, he just walked to what they called the B stage and took the gig intimate. Just him and an acoustic guitar for ‘Cherry Wine’ Then the electric guitar came back for the nest two track before rejoing the band on stage for ‘Work Song’. This was preceded by a human rights speech, much to the audiences pleasure. And then it was done! Two hours of fabulous songs, musicianship, smiles, folk music infused with pop infused this blues infused with rock. Genius!

Setlist

2. Eat Your Young
3. Jackie and Wilson
4. From Eden
5. To Be Alone
6. Dinner & Diatribes
7. Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene
8. Francesca
9. Like Real People Do
10. I, Carrion (Icarian)
11. De Selby (Part 2)
12. Would That I
13. Feelin’ Alright
    (Joe Cocker cover) (with Brittany Howard)
14. Too Sweet
15. Almost (Sweet Music)
16. Movement
17. Take Me to Church
18. Encore: Cherry Wine (B Stage)
19. Encore: Unknown/Nth (B Stage)
20. Encore: Nina Cried Power (with Melissa McMillan)
21. Encore: Work Song

Note to self:
Think about whether white trainers are suitable next time the forecast is rain and the location contains the word ‘Park’. It was a case of spot the concert goers on the tube by their footwear.