Richard Thompson

On 15 June 2026 Richard Thompson will be at SPOT/De Oosterpoort in Groningen. A songwriter and guitarist with a long track record, he blends acoustic intimacy with a firmer electric side. On stage he shifts quickly from precise fingerpicking to tighter riffs, with songs that touch on loss, everyday scenes and a dry kind of humour. Ballads are given space alongside more up-tempo numbers; new material links up with older favourites, with melodies that lean toward folk and roots and are fuelled by a distinct rock energy.

Thompson often performs solo, with characteristic guitar lines that serve as both rhythm and lead, and a voice that puts the lyrics sharply to the fore. No unnecessary frills, but careful attention to dynamics, nuance and timing. Expect a set that revolves around the songs: compact hooks, small harmonic surprises and moments where the guitar truly tells the story. For listeners who like to be close to the music: words, tone and phrasing that land each song exactly where it should, in a venue that carries every nuance.