Richard Thompson: Hippies, Thugs and Heroes

Richard Thompson stands as one of the UK’s most enduring and inventive musicians, a guitarist and songwriter whose influence stretches from the British folk-rock boom of the late 1960s to the present day. 

Emerging from the groundbreaking band Fairport Convention, Thompson helped shape an entirely new musical language — electrifying traditional songs, redefining the role of the guitar, and writing material that quickly became part of the modern folk canon. His early solo work and the celebrated albums with Linda Thompson, including I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight and Shoot Out the Lights, cemented his reputation for fearless songwriting, emotional depth and unmistakable guitar tone.

Across five decades, Thompson has released a steady run of acclaimed albums, collaborated with artists across genres, and built a live reputation that few can match. His latest record, Hippies, Thugs and Heroes, continues that tradition — sharp, vivid, and full of the wit and intensity that define his work.

For this UK tour, Thompson is joined by the Richard Thompson Band: powerhouse drummer Michael Jerome, bassist Tara Prodaniuk, harmony vocalist Zara Phillips, and guitarist/mandolin player Zak Hobbs, whose playing brings a fresh spark to Thompson’s sound. Together they deliver a dynamic, richly textured show that moves effortlessly between electric intensity and acoustic detail.

This tour celebrates both the legacy and the restless creativity of an artist who remains, after all these years, unmistakably himself — bold, curious, and still pushing forward.