The next chapter for Hozier

October 11, 2018

After what can only be called a true breakout career moment Hozier quickly became a household name in early 2015 as “Take Me to Church” off his self titled debut dominated the charts and the airwaves.

The singles to follow, “Someone New” and “Jackie and Wilson” further cemented his place within in the genre as Hozier toured heavily on the material – and then as quickly as he burst onto the scene he was gone it seemed leaving us with the burning question of when we would get more from Ireland’s finest musical export this century. The answer turned out to be 2018 as Hozier silently announced a headlining tour that quickly sold out as the new single “Nina Cried Power” began to dominate alternative radio.


By the time the full EP was released on September 6 the Philadelphia show at the Fillmore had already out – flash forward to the show day and that same eagerness could be seen as a long line of fans snaked around the venue hours before doors were set to open. In the years between Hozier’s return to Philadelphia the alternative genre had shifted greatly yet Hozier’s music remained as relevant as ever as more music listeners became more drawn to lyrical content with true depth to it.


The revival of the “blues” sound has also been a rising theme and there uis no question that Hozier embodies this iconic American sound better than anyone else trying to capture the sounds of B.B King or Booker T. Jones. As the house lights went dark and Hozier strolled onto the stage with his guitar there was an energy that captivated the crowd as he started the night slowly before diving into it full force with a riveting rendition of “Like Real People Do.” To his left and right Hozier was flanked with incredible talent that shown bright all night but every moment he opted to dig in a little deeper on a guitar part you were quickly reminded that his talent knew no bounds.

The American protest era inspired “Nina Cried Power” was just the second song Hozier performed for Philadelphia as he set his guitar down to walk around the stage as he pulled his wired microphone and it’s stand a long with him as he gave a performance that would have even given the song’s guest artist Mavis Staples chills. As the evening played out Hozier reminded his fans why they were drawn to him in the first place as he transformed numerous songs off his debut album into soul-filled masterworks that flooded the venue with sound. Every so often Hozier would step away from his towering center stage microphone as we walked around with guitar in hand to perform a solo as light cascaded around him from the stage onto the crowd.


Hozier shined as the crowd belted a sing a long on his massive hit “Take Me to Church” and as they sang softly on the slower sections of “From Eden.” However, the best parts of the set came as Hozier looked towards what is coming next whether with the new songs from his EP or the creative versatility he brought to a cover of “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child during the encore. The set was full of emotion but no moments were stronger than when given the chance to perform the newer songs. Visually Hozier was much looser on these tracks as he dug into deep solos or even walked with guitar at his side as he took in the moment with a smile on his face.


“Nina Cried Power” was the tease, The EP became the preview and the concert became the hype man for the next chapter of Hozier. It’s going to be raw, emotional and bittersweet as it should be but most importantly it is going to likely be a contender for album of the year for the genre. No one could have predicted it would be an Irishman who would become the savior of the American blues sound and there is little question that the months ahead will further cement Hozier as one of the greatest blues singers of all time.


The next chapter is almost here.


Hozier is ready, are you?

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.

Bishop Briggs hits Union Transfer for the "Tell Me Therapist I'm Fine" Tour

By Matt Christine • March 30, 2025
Bishop Briggs brought an electrifying storm to Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on the second-to-last stop of her “Tell My Therapist I’m Fine” tour—and if the title wasn’t already dripping in irony, her explosive set made it perfectly clear. Kicking off with “My Serotonin,” she transformed the venue into a cathartic dance party-meets-emotional bootcamp. It felt less like a concert and more like cracking open someone’s diary set to a thunderous bassline. From the jump, Briggs’ stage presence was nothing short of kinetic. She didn’t just command the stage—she treated it like an Olympic track, sprinting, leaping, and tearing across every corner without missing a note. During “Dark Side,” her energy swelled with the song’s intensity, delivering a performance that was equal parts spiritual purge and high-voltage rock ritual. “Woman Is King” arrived like a crown drop. Her voice soared, the crowd erupted, and in that moment, the track became less of a song and more of a statement—powerful, fearless, and unapologetically loud. It was the kind of performance that made you want to run through a wall or at least buy a leather jacket. The new single generated one of the best reactions from the crowd all night long and Briggs flashed more than one of her signature smiles from on stage during the emotional performance of the new track. Briggs didn’t just play a show—she led an emotional endurance test across 20 songs, and Philadelphia was more than willing to sweat it out with her from start to finish in this historic venue. If this was her version of therapy, then the rest of us were gladly booked in as co-patients.

Spencer Sutherland brings the "DRAMA" to Philadelphia at the Foundry

By Matt Christine • March 24, 2025
Spencer Sutherland lit up The Foundry in Philadelphia on March 20 with a headlining set that blended pop, soul, and showmanship in all the right ways. From the moment he hit the stage, his charisma was undeniable—commanding the crowd with powerful vocals and effortless swagger. Fans sang every word back to him, creating a room-wide chorus that felt more like a celebration than a concert. With emotional ballads, high-energy bangers, and a few unexpected twists, Sutherland proved he's not just riding momentum—he’s building a movement.