Hozier is a fine dude. He’s a genuine and generous artist. He’s also an activist for a variety of causes in support of oppressed or marginalized people, doing benefits, giving away royalties, etc. But we don’t generally know him for philanthropy. Why would we? Rarely is any person famous purely because they are good, nice, or generous.
We know Hozier because he’s a very talented musician, singer and songwriter who broke onto the national scene in 2013 with his hit Take Me To Church, a song he wrote and recorded in his attic between open mic gigs in Dublin.
Between open mic gigs.
Anyway, I was happy to see him perform and he seemed happy to be with us. And I’m lucky to have been able to photograph him.
I’m lucky because not many places “get it”
Thank you, Merriweather Post Pavillion. This venue, unlike most, gets it. They are a dying breed - a venue where I was allowed to bring a not-quite-professional camera onsite and shoot freely from my seat.
Therefore I’m lucky, because I made images that are rarely captured without a press pass. I bought a good seat at the right venue and took the initiative to learn the requirements when others, quite reasonably in the year 2024, might just assume they’d be excluded. (I brought a printed copy of the rules along in case some overzealous security person tried to inappropriately stop me). I’m also fortunate to own a quality camera that complies with their restrictions. But I wonder if it should be this way. I’ve always thought that other venues and performers were making a mistake by being so restrictive. The last few years I’ve even been turned away from venues for bringing a tiny, ancient point-and-shoot camera! I can barely even tell what I’m doing with that damaged, little old thing.
I don’t understand their thinking. When they limit people, they necessarily limit exposure. And as P.T. Barnum told us, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.”
But it’s not my circus to run.
In any case, Merriweather still allows cameras with non-detachable lenses, assuming you don’t bother other people. That’s all they ask. Check and check. I walked easily to my seat and when I wasn’t dancing, I was shooting.
Hozier is popular for several reasons. His music, of course. Varied, moody pieces that incorporate several genres, distinctive with both violin and cello intermixed with power guitars. His voice can captivate, his wide vocal range anchored in a growling baritone. Once people get hooked by the music, many love the lyricism even more.
It also doesn’t hurt that he’s a good-looking, early-30’s, single pop star (men in the audience were clearly outnumbered).
And he’s seemingly a super nice guy, beyond the activist/philanthropic stuff I mentioned earlier. He’s one of the few performers I’ve seen to introduce his band twice in one show, once in the middle and again near the end. Just extra acknowledging, sounding like it was from the heart. He also seemed to remember a thousand other people who contributed, from both his tour and the venue. He must work at knowing the venue people, with so much touring.
Hearing him thank others is not the most entertaining thing to experience. It can seem endless to many, I’m sure, but I appreciate that he does it. I’ve seen some big-star performers behave absolutely despicably on stage. Just horrible. This is better. And as you know, I enjoy highlighting good people.
If you’d like to see a more complete set of images, they are visible here.
Until next time,
Limited Edition Prints for Sale
Another channel of my photography. Oof. But as promised, I’ve got this new set of Limited Edition prints available for purchase. Any unsold African wildlife images from last fall, as promised, have been retired from circulation.
Each edition consists of ten Numbered Prints and two Artists Prints, 16x24” silver halide, with certificate of authentication. As before, these are limited both by number and duration of the offer. If you’d like one or more for that special person, don’t hesitate. You wouldn't want to become he who is lost!
Is there something here you like or dislike? Questions? Have anything else to say? Let us all know by clicking on the Comments button below, and express yourself. Don’t be shy, now.
If you like this post you’re bound to like the next one as well. I’m sending them weekly. Quit any time, or better yet, stay and read on!
Know anybody who should hear about all this? Be a friend and let them know!
Or, are you interested in seeing more work? My website welcomes you. We may even want to work together. I promise a joyous and productive experience if we do.
Wonderful Hozier photos! I saw him in 2019.
Such a great opportunity to get to shoot at a live show of Hozier!!! Love his music.
Beautiful images, too!