NCH Landmarks: Hothouse Flowers

Liam Ó Maonlaí 
Fiachna Ó Braonáin 
Peter O'Toole 
Dave Clarke 
Martin Brunsden 

In this occasional series, leading Irish artists perform their landmark album and music from their career.

As the NCH Landmarks series continues to spotlight iconic albums at the National Concert Hall, Hothouse Flowers take the stage for a special performance of a key album from their catalogue. On the night, they will play Home in full, giving fans the chance to hear a record that has remained central to their story.

Hothouse Flowers once unfairly described “difficult” second album Home, released in 1990 was recorded between Dublin, Borris, London, Monmouth and New Orleans jumping into studios or indeed setting up their own in an Irish country house setups grabbing the opportunities to record wherever the muse took them. It was a period of constant touring.. so that muse had to travel.. a lot!
 
It has become a favourite over the years with songs like "Christchurch Bells", "Give It Up" and their now classic version of "I Can See Clearly Now."
 
The band look forward to presenting this album as part of the NCH Landmarks series as the songs live on and evolve in their musical repertoire in 2026! Taking it home and moving it onwards all at once.
 
Something amazing happens when Hothouse Flowers step onto the stage – something that has been shaped by over thirty years of singing and playing all over the world, yet no two shows have ever been the same! There is a sense of musical adventure, an impulse to reach new heights and depths in music where the unspoken aim is that the band and the audience become one and the world becomes a different place for a while.
 
Hothouse Flowers are a rock n’roll band, Hothouse Flowers are a traditional band, Hothouse Flowers are a soul band.. Hothouse Flowers are a jam band…
 
Despite the bands lengthy career there is a sense of unfinished business. Every night they want to play the best gig they have ever played and take the musical risks that can maybe make that possible. There are still songs to be written and emotions to share. Whether it’s in a tiny club, an arena or in a festival field there is a sense that the best is yet to come.
 
Hothouse Flowers have combined traditional Irish music with influences from soul, gospel and rock since the group formed in 1985. Their debut album, People, was the most successful debut album in Ireland ever!

Presented by NCH