Hozier

Take for example St. David’s Historic Sanctuary in Austin, Texas, where Hozier made believers out of a lot of people during South By Southwest this year.

WME’s Kirk Sommer called the show one of the best he’s ever attended, telling Pollstar, “I think Bruce Warren from WXPN may have said or tweeted, ‘I have died and gone to Hozier.’ He is not the only one.”

Andrew Hozier-Byrne, who hails from Ireland, sings from the soul. The son of a musician, Hozier grew up listening to blues, Motown and gospel and it’s apparent in his music.

Songs like the gospel-tinged “Take Me To Church,” feature a classic sound with lyrics that challenge modern religious oppression of sexuality, and have resonated with listeners, peaking at No. 1 on adult alternative charts.

Sommer said Hozier’s introductory runs in the U.S. sold out, as did his upcoming fall headlining tour that’s anchored around “culturally relevant events or interesting and historic venues” such as the Austin City Limits music festival, Corona Capital festival in Mexico City and a date at the Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian in Los Angeles.

There’s also the business of releasing an album this fall. Hozier’s self-titled debut hits shelves in the U.S. Oct. 7.

Plans for a larger winter run are in the works, Sommer noted, as Hozier continues to win over audiences every time he takes the stage.

“He is a gentleman and very much appreciates his audience,” he said. “He fully delivers on each performance and the shows somehow and some way continue to have increased depth and evoke more emotion.

“Hozier is going to be around for as long as he wishes to continue to perform. He is a very special talent.”