Chris Smither
Support: BettySoo
Honing his synthesis of folk and blues for over 50 years, Chris Smither, truly an American original, makes his Festival debut, performing music from his vast song catalogue.
A profound songwriter and captivating performer, Smither mesmerizes listeners with his guitar playing – melding the styles of his two major influences, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt into his own signature guitar sound. His music draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and humanist philosophers and continues to earn accolades. Critics universally agree on Smither’s important contribution to contemporary music from five-star reviews in Mojo magazine to a Top 10 spot on Rolling Stone Senior Editor David Fricke’s best of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival performances in 2014.
Chris’ songs have appeared in films and TV shows and been covered by Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, Emmylou Harris and Diana Krall, among others. Chris continues to tour festivals, music clubs and concerts halls all over the world.
Chris’ 20th album, All About the Bones, produced by longtime friend and producer David Goodrich, features eight brand new songs plus Smither renditions of Eliza Gilkyson’s “Calm Before the Storm” and Tom Petty’s “Time to Move On.” All About the Bones is signature-Smither.
Singer-songwriter BettySoo joined Chris in the studio to make All About the Bones and is Chris’ special guest on this UK and Ireland tour.
Over 18s event
With a weary, well-travelled voice and a serenely intricate finger-picking style, Mr. Smither turns the blues into songs that accept hard-won lessons and try to make peace with fate.
He remains one of the most consistent and truthful artists of his time.
Smither sounds as good, maybe better than ever.