This event has been rescheduled to Thursday 7 April 2022. Ticket holders will be contacted regarding the new date.

Essex-born John Smith has built a reputation as one of the UK’s finest guitarists and songwriters.

Raised by the Devon seaside and making his bones in the bars and clubs of Liverpool, John has released five albums with over 33 million Spotify streams. He has played to audiences all over the world in living rooms, festival tents and sold-out concert halls. He is a genuine folksinger, an inquisitive truth-seeker, devoted song interpreter, and enchanting writer.

Steeped in the lineage of British folk, taking his cue from Richard Thompson and John Martyn, Smith has evolved a transatlantic blend of fingerstyle and slide guitar techniques. John’s intimate takes on love, loss and the journey we make, combined with his innovative guitar work, have won him a loyal following. His honey-on-gravel voice and mesmerizing fingerstyle guitar are undeniable. Sometimes using a slide, sometimes with guitar on his lap, sometimes detuning mid-song, Smith’s obsession with the instrument has made a master of him. Whether by way of album or concert, he leads the listener, enthralled in his presence, on a viscerally emotional journey.

A contributor and collaborator, John quickly and effortlessly earns the esteem of his comrades and heroes. He has opened for folk greats including John Martyn, Davy Graham and John Renbourn, who called John Smith “the future of folk music.” On the contemporary side, he has also opened for Iron and Wine, Tinariwen, and Ben Howard. He has guested with artists such as Jackson Browne, Martin Carthy, Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker, Jerry Douglas, Glen Hansard and Rodney Crowell; and in his occasional role as sideman, he has played guitar for artists such as David Gray, Lisa Hannigan, Lianne La Havas, Joe Henry and Joan Baez.

He has released five records – Headlong (2017) reached #15 in the Indie Breakers chart, #1 on iTunes’ Singer-Songwriter chart, and has amassed over 23 million Spotify streams.

Dates & Times

Last session: Wed 4 Nov 2020 at 8:00 PM - This event has now passed
Derby Hall @ The Met
£16 standing / £18 seated (inc fees)

Reviews

“You’re smiling even as tears catch in your throat.”

MOJO

“He’s a magician.”

Ben Howard

“Staggeringly good.”

Acoustic Magazine

Related events

Music - Last session: Sat 20 Nov 2021 at 7:00 PM - This event has now passed

Jack Lukeman

Jack Lukeman is an Irish singer-songwriter, performer, raconteur and a whole lot more besides.

Read more
Music - Last session: Thu 25 Aug 2022 at 8:00 PM - This event has now passed

The Wedding Present

The Wedding Present come to The Met to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the release of their pivotal long-player, Seamonsters.

Read more
Music - Last session: Fri 1 Oct 2021 at 8:00 PM - This event has now passed

Ozzbest + Megadeth UK

Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled. Ticket holders will be contacted and offered a full refund.

Read more