Richard Thompson’s 70th birthday bash at the Royal Albert Hall in September sold out in next to no time, and if you’re one of the lucky ones who managed to nab a ticket you’re in for quite a treat. Joining Richard Thompson on the night will be (deep breath…) Alistair Anderson, Ashley Hutchings, Bob Mould, Christine Collister, Danny Thompson, Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, David Gilmour, Derek Smalls (formerly of the band formally known as Spinal Tap), Eliza Carthy, Hugh Cornwell, Jack Thompson, James Walbourne, Judith Owen, Kami Thompson, Kate Rusby, Linda Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, Maddy Prior, Marc Ellington, Martin Carthy, Olivia Chaney, Simon Nicol, Teddy Thompson and Zara Phillips. Everyone save Jesus and Pikachu basically.
A wide range of musicians have recorded Thompson’s songs in the past including David Gilmour, Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley and Los Lobos. His body of work includes Grammy-nominated albums as well as numerous soundtracks, including Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man. Thompson’s latest album ’13 Rivers’ was released to widespread acclaim last September and appeared on many 2018 ‘best of the year’ lists. As The Observer noted: “Half a century after his first gig with Fairport Convention, folk-rocker Richard Thompson – trademark Stratocaster and beret intact – is as cool, energetic and contemporary as ever.”
Look out for the release of last-minute tickets here.
