Hozier and the band took time off from the tour for an appearance in Sanremo, Italy on the third night of the Sanremo 2016 Music Festival. With more than 10 million viewers tuning in each night, this singing competition is a major television event in Italy that sees the winner advancing to the Eurovision Song Contest.
Pre-Show
Media Appearances
Hozier was kept busy with interviews and news conferences while in Sanremo. (And relied heavily on Italian translators.)
At the news conference, Hozier spoke about the upcoming launch of Cherry Wine as a fundraiser to help domestic abuse charities and about mixing his music with a message.
Il primo ospite di oggi su RTL 102.5 da #Sanremo2016 è @Hozier con @federicagentile e #LaZac https://t.co/xt7Zkxdpe5 pic.twitter.com/vaN1XlUDew
— RTL 102.5 (@rtl1025) February 11, 2016
Ai #Sociopatici @Hozier superospite di stasera a #Sanremo2016 @SanremoRai @RaiUno https://t.co/JBLzKPB6OW pic.twitter.com/mqjaSo1qaY
— Rai Radio2 (@RaiRadio2) February 11, 2016
Behind the Scenes
Hozier performed a powerful version of Take Me to Church for a live audience. You can watch the performance via Rai Replay at 03:23:15.
#Sanremo2016 @LePerlediPinna @Hozier L'arcobaleno arriva anche sulla chitarra di Hozier! A forma di cuore! ❤🌈❤ pic.twitter.com/U7l1MNCFa2
— Yahoo Celebrity IT (@YahooCelebIT) February 11, 2016
#Sanremo2016: @Hozier canta "Take Me To Church".@SanremoRai pic.twitter.com/RhO2BZBmhD
— Ufficio Stampa Rai (@Raiofficialnews) February 11, 2016
Hozier added a rainbow heart to his Gretsch G5265 Jet Baritone guitar (that we call Mr. Glitters) in support of the #SanremoArcobaleno (#SanremoRainbow) started by lawyer Andrea Pinna to show support for same sex civil unions in Italy.
According to this editorial, there is a controversy within the Sanremo event around the topics of civil unions, gay marriage and religion.
So long, Italy. Was thrilled to take part in #Sanremo2016. Grazie!
— Hozier (@Hozier) February 12, 2016
Thanks to all of our contributors with special thanks to @literarypengke and @Megn0481.
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Featured photo: Vincenzo Nicolello