Lifestyle
Multi-talented Liam Ó Maonlaí for Monroe’s gig
The Hothouse Flowers’ lead singer and a solo performer of some repute Liam Ó Maonlaí will play Monroe’s Live on Friday next, May 9. He’ll be performing new material as well as songs from his second solo album, the excellent To Be Touched, which was recorded in Prague, at the suggestion of Oscar winners Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
“They knew this studio and they just came up with an idea,” Liam says. “This was an offer of a good quality studio with a really good piano and a good price. “The plan was to do a gig in Prague to pay for the project. So it all fitted in.”
A major source of inspiration for To Be Touched was the work of the American improvisational pianist Keith Jarrett, who is celebrated in both jazz and classical circles.
“I saw him on telly years ago and it really affected me,” Liam recalls. “When you see something that inspires you and it sets you off doing something else – that’s what happened with him. I went off into the piano room and just went playing. I always see it as an option of meditative playing.”
Expect to see some of this free-form, improvised playing as well as Liam Ó Maonlaí’s nuanced vocals when he comes to Monroe’s.
n Support comes from Cronin. Doors open at 9pm, tickets €15/€12.50 online.