As festivals for 2025 fall by the wayside, Richard Thompson, one of the true legends of folk rock music, has announced he will be performing at the Gate To Southwell Festival in July 2025. A founding member of Fairport Convention back in 1967, Richard’s almost 50-year career has confirmed him as an international star and one of Britain’s greatest songwriters and guitarists.
“I’ve tried in vain every year to book Richard and come close on several occasions, but with him being based in the US he’s a hard man to pin down,” said GTSF director Mike Kirrage. “It’s fantastic that we’ve finally managed to land him. Fondly remembered for his days with Fairport, he’s regarded as one of the top artists of his generation, a consummate musician and charismatic performer whose solo shows are legendary. Southwell is in for a real treat.”
Thompson’s early talent was showcased on the five classic Fairport Convention albums (including “Unhalfbricking” and “Liege & Lief”) between 1968 and 1970 and moving on from Fairport, he formed a successful duo with his wife Linda, most famously on “I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight”. He also guested on Nick Drake’s albums “Five Leaves Left” and “Bryter Later”, John Martyn’s “Solid Air” and Sandy Denny’s solo releases. Since then, he’s collaborated with everyone from Robert Plant to Nanci Griffith, The Blind Boys of Alabama to Los Lobos, Loudon Wainwright III to Rufus Wainwright, Joan Baez to Suzanne Vega. He’s released over 30 studio albums, including his three Grammy-nominated ones “Rumour & Sigh” (1991), “You? Me? Us?”( 1996) and “Dream Attic”(2010). Thompson is the first headline announcement and organisers promise many more acts will be announced in the near future.
The festival takes place at Kirklington Lakes just outside Southwell (NG22 8NX) in beautiful rural Nottinghamshire from Thursday July 3rd to Sunday July 6th. Tickets are available from this link and in the meantime, why not watch a video of one song from this year’s headliner Rhiannon Giddens below.
