Billy Bob Thornton Vicar Street, Dublin

REVIEWS: Rugs on the stage, branch-thick candles, ornate curtain backdrop, tie-dyed coverings for the keyboards and lava lamps: Billy Bob Thornton sure does like his on-stage settings. Indeed, it's a perfect visual accompaniment to his southern Gothic hippy music, itself a cross between The Allman Brothers, 1960s beat combos and the darker figures of country/folk. Truly, this is a man as much under the influence of Dickie Betts and the Liverpool sound as the guiding spirits of Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Hank

While the eight-piece backing musicians play their part in all of this - occasionally self-indulgent, heavy handed, guitar-driven country/boogie/rock, mostly symbiotic, empathetic and subtle - it's undoubtedly Billy Bob Thornton's show. It's a matter of record by now (and anyone who has heard his efficient, soul searching début solo album, Private Radio, will know) that his music is not a whimsical side project to while away the boredom he might feel between movies. A long history of involvement in music before Hollywood came along merely consolidates his claims.

Eloquent, emotional pre-song introductions attest to both his stage presence and his storytelling skills. While the former is stoic, steady, a little bit wary, the latter is a joy - not too rambling, but well judged, a mixture of personal anecdote and history. If Thornton seems willing to allow the band to break free now and again (which intermittently tests the patience) it's the price we have to pay for the show's many subtleties. The high points are the elegant, heart-of-darkness songs from Private Radio: Dark And Mad, Angelina, Starlight Lounge, Walk Of Shame, Your Blue Shadow, the title track - simple enough emotional and musical statements that touch the soul and trigger the senses.

Thornton encored with a barely-there version of Hank Williams's Lost Highway (featuring guest Elvis Costello) and had the audience on its feet for a feel-good version of The McCoys' Hang On Sloopy. It was a suitably loose end to an altogether charming night in the presence of a good and honest man.

Yep - he can come back here anytime he wants.