Derek Ryan gives fans ‘one good night’ in Lisburn

Derek thrilled the packed audience at the Lagan Valley Theatre with hits old and new, including tracks from his latest album, ‘One Good Night’, which hit the top of the Irish charts last week, in its first week of release.

The Carlow star got the night off with a bang, having the crowd clapping and singing along to hits like Hold On To Your Hat, Pick A Bale Of Cotton and recent hit single Cecilia.

Featuring old favourites, country classics and Derek’s own original tracks, there was something for everyone during the night, from beautiful ballads to songs to numbers that had the crowd on a high.

With a setlist including It’s A Heartache, Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?, Cry, Dreamers and Believers, Raggle Taggle Gypsy, It’s Friday and an Irish Medley including Rattlin’ Bog, Rare Ould Mountain Dew, Courtin in the Kitchen and Whiskey in the Jar, Lisburn was in the mood to party.

Derek also showed his remarkable vocal talent with some wonderful ballads, including self-penned hits Life Is A River and God’s Plan, as well as his fantastic version of Keith Urban’s Making Memories Of Us, which features on his latest album, and a superb rendition of American Pie, which Derek surely should record at some point.

Taking time to talk the audience, as well as deliver lots of kisses to many ladies suddenly renamed Mary, during Kiss Me Mary, Derek proved why he was crowned Entertainer of the Year, earlier this year.

Moving on Derek performed his latest single Bendigo, a toe-tapping number that is great in a live setting, as well as the Wrong Side Of Sober, a fantastically catchy number from One Good Night, which will certainly be a huge hit when it is eventually released as a single.

With the crowd crying for more, Derek duly performed an encore of more hits, beginning with the wonderful 100 Numbers, and he had the crowd on their feet for his version of Wake Me Up, before finishing up in style with what was surely the song of the summer, Shut Up and Dance, which left the crowd wanting more.

Lisburn’s Lagan Valley Theatre was a fantastic venue for the show, with the sound and lighting rivalling many larger venues.

The country star has performed in Lisburn before and is sure to return based on the success of the show. And judging by the reaction of the crowd at the end of the night, Lisburn will warmly welcome Derek and his band back again.