Hothouse Flowers Musician Liam Ó Maonlaí to Play Online Gig

On Saturday, June 13, Irish traditional musician Liam Ó Maonlaí will play an exclusive online concert.

Ó Maonlaí is best known as a member of Hothouse Flowers. Founded in 1985 by Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Hothouse Flowers bring soul and gospel influences to traditional Irish music.

The band began as street performers. After Bono released their first single on U2’s Mother Records label, their debut album topped the Irish charts and reached number two in the UK. The group disbanded in 1994, but reunited four years later.

Ó Maonlaí himself sings and plays the piano, the tin whistle and the bodhrán—a traditional Irish drum. He describes his music as “about taking the pain of the people, of your neighbours and yourself, and making beauty out of it to get you through. Blues is also this. I play to soothe myself first. When I reach that feeling, that feeling travels if its own will.”

In addition to his many projects with Hothouse Flowers, Liam has released a solo album, titled Rian, and To Be Touched, a collaboration with Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.

His upcoming concert is hosted by Netgigs, a music streaming service established to help artists survive the COVID-19 lockdown. Founded in Adelaide, Australia, the service sends the proceeds of its online gigs directly to artists and rights holders.

Ó Maonlaí’s gig this Saturday will take place at 8 PM; it will feature Liam’s solo work alongside songs by the Hothouse Flowers.

Purchase tickets for €9.99 on the Netgigs website.