Hothouse Flowers celebrate their first two albums in emphatic fashion. Support comes from the brilliantly talented Lorraine Nash.

LORRAINE NASH

Lorraine Nash is an Irish singer that has already breached our At The Barrier radar. Earlier this year, the Kerry native reissued her fabulous debut album in deluxe fashion (our review here).

Nash’s walk on stage is so unassuming that people continue their conversations until she steps up to the mic, the house lights dim and begins her set. All That I Can Be opens her set; when she finishes, plenty are tuned in. Her confidence shines as she introduces herself and has a back and forth with the audience about Kerry and Limerick. It is a funny interchange and endears her to all.

MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST

With her native voice, she sings beautifully and gets the crowd singing along, which further builds the rapport with the crowd. Taking to the piano, Nash sings Winter Song from her debut record. As a multi-instrumentalist, she is incredibly adept on the fiddle, harp, tin whistle, flute, and more. It is no surprise to see her switching instruments. As well as her playing skills, Nash’s voice is superb. Her range and style is enchanting and will hopefully mean her star will rise a lot higher in years to come. An appearance at Glastonbury Festival 2025 will not do any harm. As her song goes, Lorraine Nash is just getting started. It is not the last we’ll see of her tonight, either.

HOTHOUSE FLOWERS

Hothouse Flowers are a legendary band. The Irish band have an arsenal of great songs and a set of records that saw them become a great success in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Cherry Red Records recently collated their first four albums in the set The Older We Get (our review here). This night is slated for a celebration of the bands first two albums; 1988’s People and 1990’s Home.

Taking the stage with little fanfare, Liam Ó Maonlaí sings Seoladh Na Ngamhna as he finds his centre. It is a haunting start before the band begin to find their groove with Movies and Hardstone City. Fiachna Ó Braonáin peels off a nice solo towards the end as Liam throws his hair around.

Somewhat surprisingly, Hothouse Flowers dish up arguably their biggest ‘hit’ early doors. Their cover of Johnny Nash’ I Can See Clearly Now is resplendent in its crescendo. It’s an immediate wake up for any members of the crowd not already with the band; everyone sings along and makes it the first of many highlights of the evening.

GIVING IT UP

Give It Up switches up the tempo after a long introduction where Ó Maonlaí conducts the ‘great choir of Manchester.’ The charisma he carries is magnetic and the crowd lap up his every request.

‘We haven’t played this for a long time,’ says Liam introducing Ballad Of Katie. ‘Leo played the solo – we remember him on this one,’ he says of their sadly departed bandmate, saxophonist Leo Barnes. The original is a beautiful song. Minus the sax solo, the band offer up a very tender and moving rendition. The crowd, save for a few individuals, are hushed and take in the soulful song.

Hallelujah Jordan continues the soulful and joyful tone. Manchester is in fine voice. Hothouse Flowers have an irrepressible groove when they hit their stride. The crowd clap along from front to back as the band work the room.

EVERY SONG IS PRAYER

A deviation from the advertised broadcast comes in the form of Isn’t It Amazing from 1993’s Songs From The Rain. Peter O’Toole’s earthy bass intro rumbles the vintage sprung floor in the O2 Ritz. Liam takes to the front of the stage, throwing his mic stand around and dancing like no one is watching, feeling every word. It is a spiritual moment that every band searches for playing live.

And every cry is a song
And every song is a prayer
And our prayer must be heard
Fill the air

The prayers don’t end there; ‘Does the lonely night surround you…‘ sets up a mass singalong to It’ll Be Easier In The Morning. It is a sound and style that encompasses everything that Hothouse Flowers are great at. They can really move you with their music. Sweet Marie, a song ‘written 36 years ago’ is another tender piece that flips the tempo. Again, a hush descends before the crowd come alive to sing the chorus.

Taking us to church once more, Feet On The Ground is started with a glorious intro before the music hits hard and heavy. The foundations shake as the crowd sing the chorus and once again, another great guitar solo elevates the song further.

This song is talking about dealing with times of trouble
When your, when your head seems to be starting to explode
And the weight on your back seems to be overloading
And you’re dragging your feet behind you

DON’T GO

It bleeds into another of the bands biggest hits, Don’t Go. The song is transformed into a lengthy version with a funky salsa rhythm that changes up the aura of the song. There is a freeness and playfulness in the way the band play. The shuffling feet and bobbing heads of the crowd are a joy to watch. Liam dances up a storm again; he introduces each band member as they all deliver a little solo on their respected instrument.

As they return for an encore of Big Fat Heart; one of the B-sides to People, drummer Dave Clarke and double bassist Martin Brunsden join together at the front of the stage. It is essentially a big old busking band. As they head back to their respected positions, the band thank all and sundry and welcome Lorraine Nash for a stunning version of Bríd Óg Ní Mháille.

Without being too preachy, Ó Maonlaí talks of wanting peace in all quarters of the World. It is a humble sentiment that he doesn’t want cheering for; he requests a moment of reflection. It is a perfect way to walk away from a truly special show.

Reacquaint yourself with Feet On The Ground, below. You can check out all of Hothouse Flowers forthcoming tour dates here.

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