Martin Simpson - Live in Concert

About this event

One of England’s most revered folk performers, and widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, Martin’s interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling.

His remarkable solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving. Always prolific, and never one to rest long without a guitar in his hands and a song in his head, Martin Simpson continues to travel the length and breadth of the UK and beyond giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his remarkable intimate solo performances. Martin has been nominated an astounding 32 times in the 18 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – more than any other performer – and has won numerous awards.

Martin continues to collaborate with a dazzling array of people from across the musical spectrum: Jackson Browne, Martin Taylor, June Tabor, Richard Hawley, Bonnie Raitt, Danny Thompson, David Hidalgo, Danú, Richard Thompson and Dom Flemons are among the great musicians he has worked with.

Martin’s latest solo album, Skydancers, was released in April 2024 on Topic Records. The album is a twin release featuring a live CD recorded on recent gigs and a studio CD including some of Martin’s absolutely favourite musicians.

A virtuoso player without question, but above all Martin Simpson conveys his diverse treasure trove of material from the heart, performing with rare subtlety, intensity and honesty. A true master of his art.

‘One of the virtuoso instrumentalists of the English music scene… sounds better than ever’ **** – The Guardian

‘Martin is in a class of his own. He is such an expressive player; he is ingenious in his use of the guitar. You can listen to one of his songs and three or four minutes in, he has only used the top four strings and not even played a bass note yet, and when he does, it feels like an orchestra coming in. His clarity of playing is just amazing.’ Jackson Browne

‘One of our finest traditional musicians, Simpson’s latest album offers a roving overview of his talents’ **** Uncut

Praise for Skydancers:
‘An excellent record from a master of his craft’ – KLOF MAG
‘Acoustic finger-picking magic’ – UNCUT
‘Penguin Eggs-good. Seriously’ – **** MOJO
‘It’s stunning and without doubt his finest work in almost half a century of being at the vanguard of british guitar players, songwriters, singers and true custodians of folk music’ – RICHARD HAWLEY
‘I do believe this set could be equal to, maybe better than, anything he’s ever done’ – Ian Anderson, TRADFOLK

INTERVAL DRINKS – BEAT THE QUEUE!
Pre-order your interval drinks at the White Hart and have them ready for collection at the end of the bar during the interval.
You’re welcome to take the drinks into the Hall to enjoy during the event.
Find out more about our food and drink offerings here