Liffey Light Orchestra

Liffey Light Orchestra
OriginDublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Genres
Years active
  • 1974–present
LabelsLegal Records
Members
Past members Tommy Keyes
Websiteliffeylight.com

The Liffey Light Orchestra is a musical group based in Dublin, Ireland, known originally for its performances of the music of English composer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield,[2][3][4] including the first live performance of his Ommadawn in 1977.[5][6] From 1976 into the 1980s it regularly performed Oldfield’s Tubular Bells and other pieces.[7] The Liffey Light Orchestra is now primarily a recording group, performing music composed by its founder Paul Egan, which blends progressive rock and folk influences along with Irish traditional music.[8] A 2020 review in Hot Press compared Egan's music to that of fellow Irish composers Bill Whelan and Shaun Davey.[9]

History

The Liffey Light Orchestra was founded in Dublin, Ireland, in 1974 as a pit band for shows at Dublin University Players, the drama society at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).[10][8] In 1976, it expanded to perform Tubular Bells for the first time outside the United Kingdom in a week-long sell-out run of concerts at TCD.[7] In 1977, it expanded its repertoire to include Ommadawn, which it performed for the first time on 1 May 1977.[5][6] It subsequently added the music of Jean-Michel Jarre,[11] performing his Oxygène as part of the 1978 Dublin Theatre Festival.[12] It continued playing live into the 1980s.

The band resumed playing in the 2000s as a studio group, releasing a series of albums: Filaments (2011),[8] Le French Album (2017),[13] Lekeila (2020), and Jigs and Other Stories (2025).[14][15]

Members

The Liffey Light Orchestra has featured a number of musicians who have played a role in shaping the group's sound. These include:[1] [9]

  • Anto Drennan, guitar, a founding member of the group and performer on all the group's albums
  • Mick O'Brien, uilleann pipes and whistles
  • Robbie Harris, bodhrán and other percussion
  • Brian Dunning, flute, piccolo, and
  • David Agnew, oboe and recorder.

Musical style and influence

The Liffey Light Orchestra's musical style is heavily influenced by Mike Oldfield's works, including his early album Tubular Bells and Ommadawn.[16][17][9]

Discography

Filaments

  • Released: 2011
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Legal Records
  • Writer: Paul Egan
  • Producer: Paul Egan
  • Tracks: Sixteen
  • Bonus tracks: Two
  • Singles: O Together, released 2011

Le French Album

  • Released: 2017
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Legal Records
  • Writer: Paul Egan
  • Producer: Paul Egan

Lekeila

  • Released: 2020
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Legal Records
  • Writer: Paul Egan
  • Producer: Paul Egan

Jigs and Other Stories

  • Released: 2025
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Legal Records
  • Writer: Paul Egan
  • Producer: Paul Egan

References

  1. ^ a b "Line-ups". Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  2. ^ Sterne, John (May 1977). "L.L.O. Do Oldfield". Scene. Vol. 2, no. 5.
  3. ^ Hodnett, G.D. (5 May 1977). "Liffey Light Orchestra Concert". The Irish Times. p. 12.
  4. ^ Graham, Bill (28 October 1979). "Liffey Light Orchestra, South County Hotel". Hot Press.
  5. ^ a b Stewart, Ken (28 May 1977). "From the Music Capitals of the World". Billboard. p. 70.
  6. ^ a b Elements – The Best of Mike Oldfield (sleeve notes).
  7. ^ a b Hodnett, G.D. (19 October 1976). "Lunchtime concert at Players". The Irish Times. p. 16.
  8. ^ a b c Clayton-Lee, Tony (23 December 2011). "Music: Liffey Light Orchestra, Filaments, Legal Recordings". The Irish Times. p. 48.
  9. ^ a b c Hayden, Jackie (27 May 2020). "Album Review: Liffey Light Orchestra, Lekeila". Hot Press. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  10. ^ Sterne, John (May 1977). "Who are the Liffey Light Orchestra". Scene. Vol. 2, no. 5.
  11. ^ Denieffe, Michael (16 September 1979). "Musical Success Story". Sunday Independent. p. 7.
  12. ^ Byrne, Donal (4 October 1978). "The Liffey Swings". Evening Press. p. 6.
  13. ^ Hayden, Jackie (12 June 2018). "Album Review: Le French Album, Liffey Light Orchestra". Hot Press. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  14. ^ Clayton-Lee, Tony (17 June 2025). ""New Irish albums reviewed and rated: Van Morrison, 49th & Main, Baba, Liffey Light Orchestra, Kean Kavanagh and A Smyth"". The Irish Times.
  15. ^ Hayden, Jackie (18 July 2025). ""Album Review: Liffey Light Orchestra, Jigs and Other Stories: Orchestral manoeuvres in the studio. 8.5/10"". Hotpress. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  16. ^ Nix, Des (27 November 1979). "Feedback". Evening Press.
  17. ^ "Mark Radcliffe's Music Club". Mark Radcliffe's Music Club. BBC. Radio 2. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
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