“Martin is in a class of his own. He is such an expressive player; he is ingenious in his use of the guitar. You can listen to one of his songs and three or four minutes in, he has only used the top four strings and not even played a bass note yet, and when he does, it feels like an orchestra coming in. His clarity of playing is just amazing.” –Jackson Browne
The remarkable intimate solo performances Martin Simpson gives go from strength to strength - every gig is a masterclass. He travels the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his playing.
“What’s it like being the best guitar player in the world...?”Martin’s modesty and grace prevented him from answering this BBC Radio 4interviewer’s question recently, but the facts speak for themselves.
40 years after he recorded his first album, Golden Vanity, in 1976, Martinis known as a guitarist of formidable talent. Equally at home playing English traditional folk, American folk and blues and his own compositions, he is consistently named as one of the very finest fingerstyle guitar players in the world.
He is listed in Gibson Guitars’ Top 30 Acoustic Guitarists of all time, and Acoustic Guitar readers voted him number 12 guitarist in the world in2005.
Universally acclaimed as one of the finest ever acoustic and slide guitar players, and a fine banjo-picker to boot, his solo shows bear witness to anartist at the very top of his game. Whether interpreting material from tradition or singing his own potent self-penned songs, Simpson is a remarkable storyteller: captivating and profoundly moving. His own songwriting produced the poignant ‘Never Any Good’, from Prodigal Son,2007’s Folk Album of the Year.
Martin continues to collaborate with a dazzling array of people from across the musical spectrum: Jackson Browne, Martin Taylor, June Tabor, Richard Hawley, Bonnie Raitt, Danny Thompson, David Hidalgo, Danú, Richard Thompson and Dom Flemons are among the great musicians he has worked with.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Following on from their sell our shows in 2023, the Tandem Writers are back with a series of three individual 45-minute play readings expanding on their previous stories.
READ MOREAlice Howe & Freebo present a unique study in contrasts, bringing together a rising voice in Americana music and a venerable rock, folk, and blues icon.
READ MOREDon't miss Martin Simpson, one of the finest ever acoustic and slide guitar players, and a fine banjo-picker to boot, when he comes to the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!
READ MOREEdinburgh Youth Gaitherin is back, providing an exciting opportunity for young musicians aged between 13 and 18, keen to develop your instrument skills.
READ MORESinger, harpist and composer Rachel Newton draws on poems and ballads that are hundreds of years old to create a rich sound that is ambitious, original and unique.
READ MOREDon't miss gorgeously multilayered Scandi tones and textures from Nordic Fiddlers Bloc at the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!
READ MOREWe are delighted to welcome Simon Bradley, one of Scotland’s master musicians, to Edinburgh Tradfest and his equally-accomplished band members Anna-Wendy Stevenson and Michael Bryan!
READ MOREWinner of the 2023 Christian Raphael Prize, Frankie Archer has exploded onto the electrofolk scene with music that transcends stereotypes. Catch her at the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!
READ MOREOne of Scotland’s most exciting innovators, Malin Lewis melds west coast tradition with a newly invented, self-made bagpipe!
READ MORENorman&Corrie, the Scottish musical duo bring beautiful interpretations of old music that are genuinely contemporary.
READ MORERenowned Gaelic and Scots singer and fiddler, Evie Waddell, plays the Traverse 2 on 10th May as part of Tradfest!
READ MORETogether, Simon Thoumire and Dave Milligan create dazzling, quirky arrangements of reels, jigs, strathspeys, and airs from their native Scottish tradition, and beyond.
READ MOREClare Sands is a sixth generation fiddler and bilingual singer from Cork, weaving traditional roots with contemporary sounds and influences, embodying a fearless warrior-like spirit!
READ MOREBAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad and Absolutely, Jack Docherty brings his critically-acclaimed show David Bowie & Me to the Traverse Theatre in May!
READ MOREDead Girls Rising is a furious coming-of-age punk cabaret show about trying to survive in a violent patriarchy, our deepest fears, and how we seek to control them.
READ MOREShō and the Demons of the Deep by Zoë Bullock is a visual adventure story about overcoming fear, climate crisis and how the actions of one generation can affect the next.
READ MOREBy Trial and Error is a delightful show of acrobatic lifts, full of humour borrowed from burlesque and silent cinema.
READ MOREThis is a charming and moving story that sensitively explores sibling loss, An Ant Called Amy tells the tale of an ant who learns to slow down.
READ MORECaught by the Nazis distributing forbidden leaflets, Sophie Scholl is facing execution. Only one route remains: confession and betrayal of everything she stood for… but will she take it?
READ MOREFrom the team that created the multi award winning productions Shackleton and the Third Policeman, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company bring their newest devised piece, The Last Pearl.
READ MOREMaggie & Me, Damian Barr's award-winning and darkly witty memoir about growing up gay in Thatcher's Britain comes to the Traverse Theatre in June!
READ MOREFresh from their appearance on BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK VS The World, Choriza May hits the road with their first ever solo theatre show extravaganza and brings it to the Traverse Theatre!
READ MOREJoin the Alba Flamenca Penya for a show full of fiery intensity and joyful celebration in our beautiful and intimate ‘tablao’!
READ MOREScotland's silliest surgeon, Dr. Bonk, is back with his hit SELL-OUT SHOW 'Dr Bonk's Macarbaret', an evening of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
READ MOREAll welcome to the Scots Music Group fabulous monthly fundraising ceilidhs at the St Brides Centre! Come on your own, with friends or in a group.
READ MOREJoin host Michael Dodds every Wednesday at The Three Sisters for an evening of music, singing, poetry, comedy and much more!
READ MOREIn these sessions, Fionnbarr, Little Plaza's resident musician will play and sing for the kids and parents, with elements like singing and clapping along for those who want to.
READ MOREEdinburgh Ceilidhs invites you to a ceilidh in the Charteris Centre with caller Ken Gourlay, ceilidh band and piper.
READ MORECome bring all your friends and sing all night to all your favourite rockaoke classics on Mondays at Legends!
READ MORECome get your weekly dose of RIFFS at Legents Edinburgh every Tuesday!
READ MORE