John Smith

In the organizer's words:

John was born in Essex, grew up on the Devon coast and made a name for himself in the bars and clubs of Liverpool. He has released six studio albums with over 100 million Spotify streams, which he has played in living rooms, festival tents and sold-out concert halls to audiences around the world. In his eighteen years as a full-time independent touring musician, he has barely paused for breath.

Smith is deeply rooted in the tradition of British folk and American guitar music, drawing inspiration from Richard Thompson, John Martyn and Ry Cooder. He has developed a transatlantic blend of fingerstyle and slide guitar techniques. His deeply romantic and vibrant songwriting, combined with his innovative guitar work, has earned him a loyal following. His honeyed voice and mesmerizing fingerstyle guitar are undeniable. Sometimes with a slide, sometimes with the guitar on his lap, sometimes detuning mid-song or pulling subtle expressions out of an array of effects pedals, Smith's passion for the instrument has made him a master. Whether as an album or a live show, he always takes the listener on a deeply emotional journey.