Wednesday is known as ‘hump’ day for a very good reason. That mid-week peak in the working week when last weekend seems a world away and the next one is not even yet visible on the social horizon.

Maybe what you need to break things up is some fairly gentle live music to take your mind off things.

What better place to find yourself than at The Roaring Donkey for its Wednesday music session? Situated in Albert Street in Old Town, it is a perfect setting, just off the beaten track, and with good beers and an open fire.

The sessions were taken under the wing of the same people who bring you Songs of Praise and although this is a much more subdued affair, the ethic is the same.

Acoustic sessions and open mic nights seem to come and go around Swindon and largely feature a fairly predictable booking regime.

This session is more about mixing some of the more interesting of the town’s offerings with some great out-of- area acts. The quality control has already been done for you.

Although still early days, local acts such as Jim Blair, Gilmore ‘n’ Jaz and Skins and Strings have already played to good crowds and, with the likes of pop-folk pixie Tamsin Quin, the charismatic jazz vibes of Nick Tann and even the comedic routines of upright bass man Grant Sharkey already booked in, this session could be just the mid-week tonic you are looking for.

Give it a try, what’s the worst that could happen? - Dave Franklin