About this Event
Music Capital Presents: Liam Ó Maonlaí
2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1DA
Special Guest Ciaran Lavery
Doors - 6.45pm // Price - £25+bf
Starts 7.30pm
www.ciaranlaverymusic.com
www.musiccapital.org
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Music Capital presents Ireland's favourite Celtic son, frontman of the International folk-pop superstars 'Hothouse Flowers'.
Liam Ó Maonlaí is one of the most talented, charismatic and soulful performers of Irish traditional music today. But his musical prowess goes beyond his own cultural roots as he blends an eclectic mix of folk, blues, gospel, soul, rock, and more with his amazing vocals and an array of instrumental mastery from piano to flute, harmonica to bodhran.
Since first bursting onto the scene in the 1980's with his band Hothouse Flowers, Liam has captured the attention of audiences, critics and musicians alike. According to "Rolling Stone Magazine" Bono noted the ensemble were the "best unsigned band on the planet." It is no wonder that Liam remains a "musician's musician" and no surprise he has performed alongside the best of them. As a solo performer as well as frontman of Hothouse Flowers, Liam continues to wow audiences worldwide reinventing himself with each performance.
With numerous hits in Australia and a reputation as a riveting energetic live band, 'Hothouse Flowers' hit single of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now'' stayed in the charts and radio waves for most of the late 80's, to the early 2000's.
"Liam grew up in Clonskeagh, as the son of Corkman Seán Ó Maonlaí, and former Abbey actress Eithne Lydon. "Our mum used to try out the scripts on us at home, and would burst into tears doing the dishes as part of her character," he laughs. "My younger brother Colm would start to cry because she was crying. Mum has just touched the 80 mark, and she's fantastic and a great piano player. She opened me up to things like flamenco music, African music and rhythm."
Ciaran Lavery “I know this seems self-centred but I am, so I don’t care…”
The narrative of the deeply honest songwriter is a road strewn with misconceptions.
After accruing over 100 million Spotify streams over his last three album releases, award winning artist (Northern Ireland Music Prize for his 2016 album ‘Let Bad In’)Ciaran Laveryreleased a new double A side ahead of his upcoming album and tour dates withChristof van der Ven,Liz LawrenceandBoy & Bear. Lavery intends to alter this thought and express more of his full personality in this recent release, from the self deprecating dry humour to the downright unapologetic rational/irrational thought process
CitingJohn Grant, Anne SextonandBojack Horsemanas references, the double A side“is an insight into the current path I am on, giving myself the freedom to be the schmuck/the asshole/the clown/the butt of the joke, without throwing my own heart or someone else’s under the bus for the sake of honest writing. I found myself at odds with the person I was described as, felt the suit of this character was becoming much too tight in all the wrong areas.”
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2 Royal Ave, 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, United Kingdom
GBP 25.00
