Roy Thompson in the BAG

Tonight is a very special one for our own Roy Thompson, singer-songwriter extraordinaire, writes Brian Byrne.

For the last five years he has spent much of his spare time promoting and presenting other musicians, from all over the world, in the Ballymore Acoustic Gigs in Mick Murphys in Ballymore.

Tonight, five years after his own last public gig, he takes to the BAG stage with a full night on his own, singing his own songs. The phrase 'not to be missed' is terribly overused, but in this case, so very true.

In his own words — "I've had a guitar in my hand since I was a teenager, and been writing songs nearly as long. I'm flattered that folks have seemed to like them over the years. I've had some memorable gigs playing my songs — probably my best memory was opening for Jeffrey Foucault in Mother Redcaps in Dublin some years back. Right before they tore it down to build apartments ... ah, the price of progress. Anyway, even when not performing, I've found a little time to write, and I want to give those songs their wings. There are plans for more gigs, and to record, but one step at a time ..."

All the usual standard details apply — 8:30pm doors; 9:15pm showtime; €12 cover charge (this will help with investment needed to repair and upgrade his PA system which he uses for all the gigs).

Get along there.

Our pic above is another wonderful piece of Kieran Behan's photographic work, from a photo-shoot last week.