Loam hosts Cork singer-songwriter John Spillane

The Nocturne series of gigs, which are taking place at Galway City’s Michelin-starred Loam restaurant, have already seen performances from Cathy Davey and Colm Mac Ion Iomaire.

This Sunday, November 20, the inimitable John Spillane will visit, bringing his witty repartee and songs to this intimate venue.

So far, 2016 has been a hectic year for Spillane. In September, he launched his new TG4 series Na Bailéid, which sees him explore the stories behind classic Irish songs such as Whiskey in The Jar and She Moved Through The Fair. The show also features contributions from Mick Flannery, Moya Brennan and Damien Dempsey.

In October The Collins Press published Will We Be Brilliant Or What?, a book which features the lyrics of 57 Spillane songs, along with accompanying stories.

This month, the hugely successful Songs We Learned albums are being re-released by Universal Records. First released in 2008 and ’09, these songs helped to boost Spillane’s national profile and look set to become stocking-fillers once again.

Spillane’s popularity is built on his skill as a live performer and his banter is unique. Lines like ‘I wrote this, by myself – fair play to me’, are commonplace, and add humour to the one-man-and-his-guitar set up. Songs like Dunnes Stores Girl and Cherry Tree also set him apart.

This unique setting of Loam may well draw more out of the Cork man, too.

■ Tickets €20 from Loam.