Abby Gordon On June 18, 2025, a wet and whimsical night in Columbus, OH brought Hozier fans together at Historic Crew Stadium to scream their favorite lyrics at the top of their lungs—rain-soaked ponchos and all. Despite severe weather warnings and hour-long delays, the crowd’s energy never wavered, turning a stormy evening into something truly unforgettable.
Gigi Perez opened the night with “Please Be Rude,” accompanied by a full band that complemented her acoustic guitar and powerful vocals. Her soft yet dynamic vocal transitions added emotional depth to the lyrics, allowing her storytelling to shine.
Mid-set, her voice rang out clearly across the vast stadium as she introduced a new song from her upcoming album, At The Beach, In Every Life.
Unfortunately, her set was cut short due to a severe weather warning. After a quick goodbye, Gigi exited the stage, and the crowd was instructed to seek shelter.
Fans were asked to move under the stadium stands or return to their cars. With little warning, the storm rolled in quickly, leaving minimal time to find a safe place to ride it out.
As fans settled back into their spots, the lights dimmed—finally, the show was about to begin. Stage adjustments were made to accommodate the wind and rain, which continued to fall throughout the rest of the night. A mix of familiar faces and new additions to the band joined Hozier on stage. The updated set design featured enhancements from the previous tour, including additional drop-down screens for visuals and a reimagined stage layout that gave each band member and their instrument space to shine.
The show opened with a Gaelic spoken-word intro, flowing seamlessly into its companion piece, “De Selby (Part 2).” Fan favorites continued throughout the night, alongside some rarely played gems like “Abstract (Psychopomp)” and “Someone New.”
Throughout the performance, the band members demonstrated their versatility—switching between instruments and harmonies with ease. Despite being early in the tour and new to one another, they exuded a strong sense of unity and camaraderie.
Their collective talent radiated through every song. Hozier paused mid-set to introduce his band and speak to the crowd about the power of live music, unity, and resistance. He touched on pressing issues facing the world today before launching into “Nina Cried Power,” a protest anthem originally written with Mavis Staples. For this powerful performance, one of his backup singers stepped forward to deliver a soul-stirring rendition alongside him.
Following the protest anthem “Nina Cried Power,” the crowd erupted with cheers and applause, showing their appreciation for Hozier’s courage in using his platform to share meaningful, resonant messages. Despite the earlier weather delay, which forced the show to be slightly shortened and eliminated the traditional encore break, the energy never dipped.
As always, Hozier closed with his iconic hit, “Take Me to Church.” Partway through the song, a fan held out a Pride flag, which Hozier gratefully accepted and draped over his mic stand for the remainder of the performance. The crowd roared even louder, singing along at full volume with his powerful vocals. As he hit the final note, fireworks exploded above the stadium—an immaculate, celebratory end to a chaotic but unforgettable night.
The show wrapped around midnight, leaving fans with a long day of travel ahead. Yet even with the delays and shortened set, Hozier—alongside his phenomenal band—delivered a performance that was nothing short of extraordinary.
The Unreal Unearth tour continues across the U.S. this summer, bringing Hozier’s poetic storytelling and powerhouse vocals to both longtime fans and new listeners alike. With Gigi Perez and Amble joining as opening acts, each night promises a unique and emotionally charged experience. If this show proved anything, it’s that even amid storms—literal or otherwise—Hozier and his band know how to create something unforgettable.
If any information in this coverage is incorrect or needs to be fixed, please email PCD Editor at jessica@postconcertdepression.com. Thank you!
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