Hozier Meets with BIMM Manchester Students

Irish singing star Hozier – Andrew Hozier-Byrne to his friends – has had an incredible year of successes. 14 million YouTube hits for his epic single ‘Take Me To Church’, a Grammy nomination for ‘Song of the Year’ with a live appearance on the award show alongside Annie Lennox, a top ten album in six countries … the list goes on.

His current live tour takes in majestic venues such as Manchester’s Albert Hall, the renovated Wesleyan chapel, which is where a group of lucky BIMM Manchester students caught up with the singer ahead of his performance.

The students were invited to hang out and watch Hozier and his band do a full sound check with a rehearsal of almost their entire set live, before sitting down and chatting with Hozier and asking plenty of questions.

Bruce Carter, Songwriting Tutor from BIMM Manchester, accompanied the students:

“Hozier was really great with the students. He’s an ex music student himself, so he was really sensitive and thoughtful in his responses to their questions. After chatting, he surprised us all with VIP passes for the gig that night which we weren’t expecting! We were very well looked after!”

The students’ visit was arranged by the drummer from Hozier’s band, none other than BIMM Dublin tutor, Rory Doyle. Rory has been touring tirelessly with Hozier across Europe and the United States, including playing that legendary Grammy performance, as well as the biggest Hozier gig to date at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

Having high-profile working musicians like Rory present at BIMM has certainly paid dividends for the lucky students at the Albert Hall. Rachael Yielder was one of them:

“It was amazing getting the chance to hear Hozier play in such a beautiful space and it was just as valuable and inspirational getting to meet him and have him answer questions in such a friendly and open way. It was a truly one-off experience.”

It was an influential meeting, as Lei Jennings, BA 1 Songwriting student attests:

“Hozier was so down to earth and a great inspiration. He inspired me to stay true to the music. If it is good — when it’s time — it will find its way.”

This is what Hozier had to say on the night, “What a beautiful venue. This is only the second time I’ve played in Manchester and it’s amazing.”