Hozier and Mavis Staples Cover The Band – Watch Now

Hozier performed a captivating cover of The Band’s song “The Weight” with Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, and several other artists at the recent Newport Folk Festival. The event took place last Friday at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island.

During his headline set, the Irish singer-songwriter was joined by a stellar lineup of guests for a memorable rendition of The Band’s 1968 song. Among the notable artists on stage with Hozier were Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, The Lumineers, Nathaniel Rateliff, Madison Cunningham, and Allison Russell.

The performance didn’t end there. Following their collaboration, Baez delivered a poignant rendition of her protest song “We Shall Overcome” with Hozier, Rateliff, Russell, and others. Fans captured videos of these powerful moments, further highlighting the emotional and impactful nature of the performances.

Hozier later shared a professionally captured video from the event on his social media, expressing his gratitude in a heartfelt message. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be reminded of everything @Newport Folk Fest offers through its legacy, and through the space it can create for these moments,” he wrote in the caption.

“I’m so grateful to @Mavis Staples and @Joan Baez and the artists of their generation who lit a torch that still lights the way, and I am so grateful for the artists of my own generation who inspire me every day. Thank you so much for joining me,” he continued.

He also extended his thanks to his dear friend Allison Russell, calling it a joy to be with her for her set. Hozier further thanked Kaïa Kater, Nathaniel Rateliff, William Prince, Wes from The Lumineers, and Madison Cunningham. “I am truly honored to have had you with me! So much love and gratitude,” he concluded.

In response, Russell commented on his post, expressing her own gratitude and affection. “I will remember and cherish the memory of this as long as I live. So much love and gratitude for inviting me into this magic circle @Hozier,” she wrote.

This performance isn’t the first collaboration between Hozier and Mavis Staples. Back in 2019, the two artists worked together on Hozier’s second album “Wasteland, Baby!” and performed together at that year’s Newport Folk Festival. Their musical synergy continues to bring powerful performances to audiences.

In addition to reflecting on past collaborations, Hozier also gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come. He recently previewed a new song titled “July” and confirmed that a new EP is in the works. This upcoming EP follows his previous four-track release “Unheard,” which dropped in March and featured a collaboration with Allison Russell.

“Unheard” marked Hozier’s first collection of new material since his third studio album “Unreal Unearth,” released last August. The album was a significant success, earning Hozier his first UK Number One album. Critics praised the record for its diverse musical approach. NME, in a four-star review, noted that Hozier not only navigates different genres but also balances moments of sparseness and expansiveness.

As Hozier continues to evolve as an artist, his performances and collaborations remain a testament to his talent and the deep connections he forms with fellow musicians. Fans can look forward to more music and memorable moments from him in the near future.