As Irish singer-songwriter Hozier braved the heat for two concerts at Boston's Fenway Park this week, he made sure to weave heartfelt nods to his Irish heritage into his performances.
Wicklow native Hozier - real name Andrew Hozier Byrne - had the honor of being the first Irish artist to headline at Fenway, home of the MLB's Boston Red Sox. Irish folk trio Amble served as the opening act.
"I've been told that I'm the first Irish artist to ever play here," Hozier told his audience, who were likely a bit sweaty with Boston having been under an Extreme Heat Warning.
"So thank you so much. That is all, sincerely, your doing, so I thank you sincerely for your support and for being here.
"But it's also a place where, this month, in June, about 106 years, Éamon de Valera spoke to a crowd here asking for people to support an independent Ireland.
"A bit of Irish history there."
@carolinepacl @Hozier plays Fenway for the #heatwave #boston and is the first ever Irish artist to perform and sell out. #hozierlive #hozier #fenwaypark ♬ original sound - Caroline Pacl
Indeed, on June 29, 1919, de Valera addressed an unexpectedly massive crowd of about 50,000 people - with thousands more stuck outside - at Boston's Fenway Park. It was part of de Valera's multi-city visit to the US, where he drummed up publicity for Irish independence, as well as funds.
In Fenway, he was introduced by Senator David I. Walsh, the son of Irish immigrants, who called de Valera "Ireland's Abraham Lincoln."
According to Boston Irish, de Valera told the crowd: “The man who established your republic sought the aid of France. I seek the aid of America.”
The Boston Globe reported afterward: "To say that it was thrilling is putting it mildly -- it was electric."
Continuing with his Irish theme, Hozier launched into a cover of fellow Irish musician Van Morrison's "Sweet Thing." It was his first time playing the cover live.
"We thought we'd bring a bit more of home here to the stage to Fenway," Hozier said of the song that he described as being "very, very close" to his heart.
In a special touch, Hozier bust out a low whistle during his rendition, much to the crowd's delight.
Later during his set at Fenway Park, Hozier performed his original song “De Selby (Part 1)," the lyrics of which Hozier sings in Irish.
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