More and more, Hozier is solidifying himself as a true national treasure.
His endearing modestly is always apparent. When appearing on The Tommy Tiernan Show a few months ago, he charmed the presenter and the audience when he felt compelled to explain to Tommy who he was and what he did. With that modesty is a general sense of decency, and yet there's also confidence in his exceptional voice and supreme talent.
Last night, on another surreal Late Late Show, all of this was on display again from the singer. Appearing to promote ISPCC Childline's emergency appeal, Hozier spoke to Miriam O'Callaghan about his commitment to the charity and why he thinks it is so important. When pushed on his own fortunes during this trying time, he was also quick to acknowledge his own privilege and turn the attention back to others, including struggling independent musicians.
Of course, given the day job, he was also there to sing. In an empty studio, with just Miriam, the ISPCC's Caroline O'Sullivan, keyboard player Alex Ryan and the skeleton Late Late crew for company, Hozier performed three songs; the famous Take Me To Church, Shrike, and finally, a rendition of the Parting Glass, sung for those who've been already lost to the current crisis and particularly the healthcare worker who passed away yesterday.
It was a performance that left the country in an emotional wreck, especially given we were already in a heightened state of sensitivity, just a couple of hours after the announcement of further restrictions on our movement.
i always rolled my eyes when i read about the frenzy whitney houston caused in the states after singing "the star-spangled banner" during the gulf war but then i saw hozier singing "the parting glass" on the late late and now i feel i understand
— Eoin Ó Catháin (@EoinKeane101) March 28, 2020
quarantine level of 3 whiskeys deep doing actual heaving sobs over hozier singing the parting glass on the late late
— niamh (@blobfish_) March 27, 2020
Ive heard many versions of the Parting Glass - I don't ever recall anything as hauntingly beautiful and appropraite as th version by @Hozier on @MiriamOCal #TheLateLateShow - I will gently rise and gently call, good night and God Bless you all.
— Hugh Gillanders (@HughGillanders) March 28, 2020
Wow, @hozier singing the 'Parting Glass' for a fallen healthcare worker, to an empty #LateLateShow studio and a Stand-in host, will be one of the defining moments of this crisis.
Hauntingly beautiful.— Michael Russell (@MichaelRusselll) March 27, 2020
The ISPCC's Caroline O'Sullivan spoke passionately alongside Hozier about the increase in calls to Childline since the outbreak of the coronavirus, given the anxieties children are experiencing around their worried for their older or sick loved ones in particular, while many in abusive or neglected homes will be struggling without the sanctuary of school.
As part of the emergency appeal, Hozier, Dermot Kennedy, Gavin James, Kodaline, Danny O'Reilly, Picture This and more are currently hosting a virtual festival. For two weeks, the artists will perform at 2pm live on their individual Instagram accounts, while 2FM will broadcast a show live every evening at seven o'clock.
In return, the artists are asking those who can afford it to donate €4 by texting ‘CHILDHOOD’ to 50300.
