SINCE THE late 1980s, The Hothouse Flowers have been renowned for their a passionate fusion of rock with the rootsy sounds of Irish folk and American gospel, and shows lasting between two and three hours, depending on the "level of fever in the room".
The band will treat their Galway fans to such a performance at Monroe's Live on Saturday September 18 at 8.30pm. They began life when Liam Ó Maonlai (vocals, keyboards ) and Fiachna Ó Broainain (guitar ) formed Dublin street-performance act, The Incomparable Benzini Brothers. After winning the 1985 Street Entertainers of the Year Award, they added bassist Peter O'Toole, saxophonist Leo Barnes, and drummer Jerry Fehily, and changed their name to Hothouse Flowers.
A single on U2’s label Mother came about, which led to their being signed by Polygram. Their 1988 debut, People, went to No 1 in Ireland and No 2 in Britain. By the mid-1990s, Ó Maonlai had gone on to explore Irish and world music in his solo career, and with other bands, but reunites the Hothouse Flowers on a regular basis, a testament to their enduring popularity.
Tickets are €25/€22.50. See www.monroes.ie for more information.
