Steve Tilston

Event information

Ask anyone on the English acoustic scene who their favourite guitarist, singer, songwriter and entertainer is and nine times out of ten the same name will crop up in the top three of every department. Steve Tilston is one of our most celebrated song-smiths; widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music: the words, arrangements and subtle, quite superb guitar playing could be no one else.

Born in Liverpool and raised in the Midlands, Steve made his recording debut in 1971 with the classic An Acoustic Confusion and has been turning out quality albums ever since. Life by Misadventure, And So It Goes, Solo Rubato and Such and Such all featuring first-class song-writing, quintessentially English in style and typically Tilston, marking him out as one of this country’s finest writers. Whilst the instrumental Swans at Coole is testament to his guitar virtuosity

A celebrated artist in Britain and abroad, winning accolades in Europe, Australia and the USA, his songs have been recorded by Fairport Convention, Dolores Keane, The House Band, Peter Bellamy, North Cregg, Bob Fox and John Wright. Here’s to Tom Paine is the adopted theme song for the Tom Paine Society of America and it’s been rumoured, has featured in Bruce Springsteen’s live set. His music is also played regularly on radio and TV and 2012 saw Steve featured on both ‘Later With Jools’ and BBC 4’s prestigious ‘Songwriter’s Circle’ alongside Martin Simpson and Michael Chapman.

Steve will be playing songs from a new album, due for release in the autumn and will be in a trio with Keith Warmington and Stuart Gordon.

‘Steve Tilston, in case events have conspired to conceal the fact from you thus far, is that very rare combination of singer, songwriter and guitarist who actually excels in all departments’ – Froots Magazine

‘His musicianship is beyond question, while the arrangements set a standard against which other acoustic/roots albums ought to be measured’ - The Daily Telegraph

‘Steve Tilston, singer songwriter and exquisite guitarist… is hard on the heels of Richard Thompson in the perennially underrated stakes’
- Q Magazine