The Longest Johns

On July 17, 2026, The Longest Johns bring their maritime folk to Commonwealth in Calgary. Formed in Bristol as an a cappella quartet, they shape tight harmonies around work songs, coastal ballads and original pieces drawn from life at sea. Over time they’ve added simple percussion and acoustic textures, keeping the vocal core upfront. Their set moves between tradition and new writing, from staples of the shanty repertoire to titles like Bones in the Ocean. After the reach of their Wellerman in 2021, the group continued to refine this blend on Smoke & Oakum (2022), following earlier albums Written in Salt, Between Wind and Water and Cures What Ails Ya.

On stage, the voices lead: unison bursts, call-and-response and refrains built for collective singing. Stories surface between songs, with nods to folklore, daily graft and contemporary twists, including links to the Sea of Thieves universe. Special guests join for this date, adding new timbres and harmonies to the setlist. A show rooted in the pulse of maritime tradition, carried by four singers and a few well-placed instruments, played up close in Calgary.