​​Richard Thompson's musical influence cannot be overstated. Having co-founded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention as a teenager in the ‘60s, he and his bandmates invented the distinctive strain of British Folk Rock. He left the group by the age of 21 which was followed by a decade long musical partnership with his then-wife Linda, to over 30 years as a highly successful solo artist.

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Thompson received an OBE in 2021, and The Los Angeles Times called him “the finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix”. Rolling Stone has named him one of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time and he's received lifetime achievement awards for songwriting from the BBC Radio 2 Awards, the Americana Music Association, and was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award in 1997. His song “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” was named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Greatest Songs Since 1923.”

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His genre defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with engaging energy and onstage wit continue to earn him new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history. In May 2024 he released to critical acclaim, Ship To Shore, his first studio album in six years.

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He'll be joined by his wife Zara Phillips, on vocals too, to add something extra.

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Originally scheduled to play in 2025, Richard's first GTSF appearance was moved to 2026 after he broke a couple of ribs shortly before the festival. He's playing on Thursday evening this year,  before hot-footing back to the USA afterwards.

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