Hothouse Flowers

Hothouse Flowers play Edinburgh on 19 December 2026 at The Liquid Room. Formed on the streets of Dublin in 1985, the band shaped a sound where alternative rock meets folk rock, Celtic influences, soul and gospel. At the center, Liam Ó Maonlaí’s voice and piano, supported by strong harmonies from Fiachna Ó Braonáin and long-time partner Peter O’Toole, carry songs that move from plugged-in drive to hushed acoustic passages, with traditional Irish motifs woven into contemporary arrangements.

On stage, the group spans its catalogue: early cuts from People and Home, pieces from Songs from the Rain, and later material from Born, Into Your Heart and more recent releases. Their path crossed with acts like Indigo Girls and The Dubliners, and that openness still feeds their live approach, balancing rootsy choruses, steady grooves and folk-tinged melodies. The current core features Ó Maonlaí, Ó Braonáin, Dave Clarke, Martin Brunsden and the return of Peter O’Toole, a line-up that keeps the band’s blend focused on voice, harmony and a mix of rock energy and intimate folk colors.