Irish singer-songwriter Hozier took to the stage on the final night of Outside Lands 2025, delivering a deeply moving performance that honored the festival’s rock heritage while also delivering a powerful call for peace and justice. His set stood out amid a weekend largely dominated by rap, pop, and electronic music, reminding fans of the festival’s earlier days when guitar-driven acts were the main attraction.

Story Highlights:

• Hozier closes Outside Lands 2025 with a nearly two-hour performance blending rock, soul, blues, and activism.

• Delivers a passionate call for peace, including a free Palestine, and support for LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights.

• Performs a wide range of songs, from early hits to new chart-toppers and deep cuts.

• Ends with a memorable encore and fireworks during “Take Me to Church.”

• Other artists at the festival also used their platforms to make political statements.

• Hozier’s closing performance was marked by sincerity and a strong connection with the San Francisco audience.

Dressed casually in a brown suede jacket paired with loose slacks and with his long hair tied back, Hozier approached the stage on Sunday, August 10, with a quiet intensity that immediately captured the audience’s attention. From the outset, there was a strong sense of gratitude in his demeanor as he acknowledged the setting and the crowd.

“It’s such a gift to be back doing Outside Lands,” he said early on. Reflecting on his previous visit to San Francisco, he added, “I was here a few years back now, down the other side of the hill, and I was taken by the fog rolling in — it’s such a beautiful sight. It’s a beautiful city you have here.”

Hozier’s set was an expansive journey through his musical catalog. He opened with the haunting two-part composition “De Selby,” a track that set a contemplative tone. The mood soon shifted as he launched into more upbeat, high-energy songs such as “Jackie and Wilson” and “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene,” which had the audience fully engaged.

Throughout the nearly two-hour set, Hozier blended rock, soul, and blues, showcasing his versatility. Newer hits like 2024’s “Too Sweet” sparked enthusiastic sing-alongs, while deeper album cuts such as “I, Carrion (Icarian)” and “Would That I” highlighted his ability to move seamlessly between gritty blues and gospel-infused grace.

At a pivotal moment in his performance, Hozier took the opportunity to speak to the crowd beyond music. Introducing his 2018 protest anthem “Nina Cried Power,” he urged the audience to take action on pressing global issues.

“As we’ve been traveling over the last nearly two years,” he said, “I’ve been inviting people, encouraging people, asking people to use their empathy, their human compassion, their honesty to use their right to vote to support peace and safety and security for everybody in the Middle East.”

He went on to specify his hope for “seeing a Palestine that’s free from occupation,” making it clear that his message extended beyond the stage. Hozier also voiced support for LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights, drawing a parallel to the struggles of the Irish Troubles as he prepared to perform a duet with American singer Amanda Brown.

Midway through the show, Hozier checked in with the crowd, asking, “You still with us?” The question was met with cheers and applause, encouraging him to continue with the tender ballad “Like Real People Do.” Later, before launching into “From Eden,” he smiled and said, “You put a smile on my face. Thank you, Outside Lands.”

As the night wore on, Hozier surprised fans with an intimate encore on a smaller B-stage, performing “Cherry Wine” and “Unknown/Nth” in a quiet, reflective setting. He then returned to the main stage to close with the defiant “Nina Cried Power” followed by the stirring “Work Song.”

The climax of the evening came with a soaring rendition of his breakthrough 2014 hit, “Take Me to Church,” accompanied by a dramatic fireworks display that lit up the San Francisco night sky.

Hozier was not alone in using the festival platform to voice political views. Earlier in the weekend, rapper Doechii and indie rocker Bakar publicly expressed support for Palestine. Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams took a more subtle approach, making a pointed comment about the Trump administration during her set.

Although the crowd had thinned somewhat by Sunday night, Hozier’s sincere delivery and magnetic stage presence transformed the festival’s closing moments into a reverent and memorable experience. It was a final act that blended melody, meaning, and a genuine love for live music.

“I want to thank you, San Francisco,” Hozier said as he wrapped up his set, “for the kindness and compassion you have shown me in this city.”

Hozier’s performance at Outside Lands 2025 was more than just a concert—it was a heartfelt statement blending artistry with activism. In a weekend filled with diverse musical styles and voices, his return to the stage reminded audiences of the power of music to inspire reflection and change. By weaving together soulful melodies and urgent calls for justice, Hozier closed the festival not only with unforgettable songs but also with a message that resonated far beyond the music. His deep connection with the San Francisco crowd underscored the enduring importance of live music as a space for both celebration and meaningful dialogue.

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