Martin Simpson

Martin Simpson

Fiddlers Green Festival is honoured to welcome Martin Simpson, one of the most revered acoustic guitarists in the world and a masterful interpreter of traditional and original songs. Known for his intimate and emotionally rich solo performances, Martin brings a rare combination of technical brilliance, heartfelt storytelling, and musical depth.

With a career spanning over 40 years, Martin’s music transcends borders—equally at home in English traditional folk, American blues, and original compositions. His guitar work has earned him a place in Gibson Guitars’ Top 30 Acoustic Guitarists of all time, and he was voted the 12th best guitarist in the world by Acoustic Guitar magazine readers. Audiences are consistently moved by the intensity and honesty of his performances.

Simpson’s acclaimed songwriting includes the deeply personal Never Any Good from Prodigal Son, which was named Folk Album of the Year in 2007. His solo shows reveal an artist at the peak of his powers—whether playing banjo, fingerstyle guitar, or slide. Martin’s long list of collaborations includes Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, June Tabor, Richard Thompson, and more.

His 2024 release Skydancers is already being hailed as some of his finest work, combining a live album recorded on recent tours and a studio album featuring his favourite collaborators. The praise is universal—“stunning,” “masterful,” and “the finest work in almost half a century.”

With 32 nominations over 18 years at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards—including 13 for Musician of the Year (and two wins)—Martin Simpson stands among the most recognised and influential figures in folk music today. His performances are more than concerts; they are unforgettable journeys of sound, soul, and story.