Live Report: Hozier brings his gospel-infused spectacle to the Electric Picnic main stage

A tens of thousands-strong crowd stretches back into the darkness of Stradbally, the rip-roaring applause near deafening, as Hozier descends on the Electric Picnic main stage for his Friday headliner.

The Wicklow crooner kicks things off with the rousing 'Nobody's Soldier', a pummelling rocker that centres on the experience of witnessing war and violence around the world in the digital age. The track is taken from the singer's most recent album Unreal Unearth, which our own Stuart Clark deemed a record of "zero missteps...that fully realises Hozier's ambitions" in his 2023 review.

Hozier at Electric Picnic. 29 Aug 2025. Copyright Liam Murphy

Next up is 'Jackie and Wilson', the joyous number that tips its cap towards the soul legend Jackie Wilson.  Hozier keeps the momentum going as he shifts to 'Angel of Small Death And The Codeine Scene', another track from his debut album that pulls from Joyce's Portrait.

Most of Hozier's setlist tackles themes of love, especially of the doomed variety, and loss. Such romantic tracks as the mid-set belters 'Like Real People Do',  'Would That I' and 'Cherry Wine' prove this in spades. Such punch-drunk romanticism runs the gamut of the singer's essence.

Hozier at Electric Picnic. 29 Aug 2025. Copyright Liam Murphy

But fans of good, old-fashioned rock tunes are equally in for treat. 'Francesca' builds to a thrilling wall of sound that genuflects between heavenly and hellishly airs. The plugged-in 'Movement' offers a wonder of soul and gospel sensibilities that goes down expectedly well under the star-speckled sky.

Nearing the end of his set, the singer dives headlong into the anthem for the politically-inclined, 'Nina Cried Power', where Hozier's voice floats atop the thrill-pushing percussion as he belts: "Power has been cried by those stronger than me / Straight into the face that tells you to grab on your chains".

Hozier at Electric Picnic. 29 Aug 2025. Copyright Liam Murphy

Closing out the set, it would be remiss of Hozier if he didn't end with 'Take Me To Church', the queer anthem and the hit song that started it all for the Irish songsmith. The staunch piano rock ballad makes for hair-raising finale, with each and every punter draining what remains of their vocal chords to join Hozier on the chorus, "Offer me that deathless death / Oh, good God, let me give you my life". But the show isn't quite over yet! As the final notes ring out, a massive fireworks display brightens the night sky with a colourful fantasia.

An incredible spectacle, Irish music is indeed in a great place on the world's stage with Hozier, a sonic heavyweight who's here to stay.