The Longest Johns

On 19 May 2026 at O2 Academy Oxford, Bristol outfit The Longest Johns bring maritime folk to the stage with a set that balances tradition and original songwriting. First known as an a cappella quartet, they’ve expanded their palette with tightly woven harmonies, simple percussion and acoustic arrangements, moving from heaving work songs to coastal ballads and back again. Their early albums, Written in Salt and Between Wind and Water, laid the groundwork before a wider break with their version of Wellerman, followed by Smoke & Oakum, which sharpened their blend of chorus-led shanties and contemporary folk narratives. Live, the group leans into call-and-response hooks, unison chants and stories shaped by the sea, with crowd-ready refrains and quieter moments that let the voices carry. Expect traditional shanties threaded with their own pieces, including favourites like Bones in the Ocean alongside newer material, delivered with the pulse and swing of songs built to be sung together.