The iconic vocalist from the Hothouse Flowers, Liam Ó Maonlaí, brings his mesmerising musical fusion to The SOMA Festival on Thursday, 18th July at Castlewellan’s St Malachy’s GAC, joined by the talented SOMA House Band.
Liam achieved worldwide recognition with the Hothouse Flowers, and his solo work has a resonance and spirituality that touches all.
Mystical Irish traditions, abandoning clichés and a sensibility that reaches down to everyone’s spirit, Liam will take the stage as part of a series of stellar headliners at the SOMA Festival that includes KT Turnstall.
He will be joined on stage with the legendary Dónal Lunny and the multi-talented SOMA House Band, that reads like a ‘who’s who’ of musicians.
Festival Director, Tiona McSherry said welcoming Liam to SOMA will be a special event.
“Liam may have achieved global success with the likes of ‘Don’t Go’ but the Hothouse Flowers back catalogue and his solo work show what a remarkable talent he has.
“To bring him together with the awesome musicians of the SOMA House Band promises to be a really special night.”
Joining Liam on the festival bill will be Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall as well as Honeyfeet, Ded Rabbit and Cormac Neeson. The singer of The Answer has recently released a solo album ‘White Feather’ a deeply personal collection of folk, country and fusion tracks that has received rave reviews.
As well as the headline acts the SOMA Festival hosts a range of events, sure to please lovers of traditional and contemporary arts.
Once again there will be SOMA Mind, Body and Soul to help everyone revitalise and relax with a range of alternative and holistic events across the weekend.
Tiona said everyone involved – and residents of Castlewellan and beyond – is looking forward to the festival.
“We’ve come far since that fabulous first incarnation of Soma, a humble weekend affair with one major, sublime concert; a few excellent masterclasses; an art exhibition (also excellent); a hotchpotch of traditional music sessions scattered throughout the town and a cast of dedicated volunteers running ragged making sure the whole thing didn’t come apart at the seams.”
With over 60 activities and events in this year’s festival, there is something for everyone. For times and ticket prices, view the full programme on the festival’s website or follow #SOMAFest19 on social media.
Tickets for Liam Ó Maonlaí priced £22, are available via the festival website www.somafestival.com. For more information and full schedule check out the website or or follow the festival hashtags #thesomafestival and #féilesoma2019