Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 02/29/2024
The legendary Richard Thompson will return with his new album, Ship To Shore, on May 31. Listen to the first track, "Singapore Sadie." The influential singer-songwriter and virtuosic guitarist has been on a singular musical journey for over a half century, from his days in the '60s as a pioneer of British folk rock with Fairport Convention, to his seminal '70s duo work with Linda Thompson, to the exploratory, deeply emotional music of the solo career that has been his primary concern ever since.
Ship To Shore pulls from various styles, genres and eras, but remains unmistakably Richard Thompson. “I liked the idea of having a strong base to work from and reaching out from there,” he says. “And I think of my base as being British traditional music, but there’s also Scottish music, there’s Irish music. There’s jazz and country and classical."
Ship To Shore is available for preorder from New West and and Independent Retail on Limited Edition Orange & Yellow Marble 2LP, 3-sided with a 4th side etching and a 5x7 autographed print, Signed CD, and standard LP. Click here to pre-order the album or CD.
Richard Thompson’s musical influence cannot be overstated. Having co-founded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention as a teenager in the 60s, he and his bandmates invented the distinctive strain of British Folk Rock. He left the group by the age of 21 which was followed by a decade long musical partnership with his then-wife Linda, to over 30 years as a highly successful solo artist.
In 2011, Thompson received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) personally bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. The Los Angeles Times called him the finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix and Rolling Stone has named him one of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. He has received lifetime achievement awards for songwriting from Britain’s BBC Awards, the Americana Music Association, and was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award.
His song “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” was named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Greatest Songs Since 1923.” A wide range of musicians have recorded Thompson’s songs including Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley, Los Lobos, and many more. His massive body of work includes many Grammy nominated albums as well as numerous soundtracks, including Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man. Thompson’s genre defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with engaging energy and onstage wit continue to earn him new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Fri, March 1 at Emelin Theatre, Mamaroneck, NY
Sat, March 2 at Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon, NY
Fri, March 15 at Katharine Hepburn Cultural, Old Saybrook, CT
Sat, March 16 at Narrows Center For The Arts, Fall River, MA
Sun, March 17 at Back Porch Music Festival 2024, Northampton, MA
Thu, March 21 at SHU Community Theatre, Fairfield, CT
Fri, March 22 at Tupelo Music Hall, Derry, NH
Sat, March 23 at First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington, VT
Sun, March 24 at Bull Run Restaurant, Shirley, MA
Thu, April 4 at Infinity Music Hall - Hartford, Hartford, CT
Fri, April 5 at The Cut - Stage • Studio • Restaurant • Bar, Gloucester, MA
Sat, April 6 at My Father's Place at The Roslyn Hotel, Glen Cove, NY
Sun, April 7 at My Father's Place at The Roslyn Hotel, Glen Cove, NY
Tue, April 9 at Rams Head Tavern, Annapolis, MD
Wed, April 10 at The Tin Pan, Richmond, VA
Thu, April 11 at The Barns at Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA
Fri, April 12 at Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood, NJ
July 8 - 12, 2024 at Frets & Refrains 2024 -Richard Thompson's Acoustic Guitar and Songwriting Camp, Big Indian, NY
Sun, July 28 at Cape May Convention Hall, Cape May, NJ
Fri, October 18 at The Town Hall, New York, NY
EVENT PREVIEWS
MPAC presents Darren Criss on July 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center for an all-new solo show on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape over a decade ago in Fox's hit TV show Glee, Darren Criss has embodied the kind of kaleidoscopic artistry that's entirely uninhibited by form or genre.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bell Bottom Blues on July 10th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Bell Bottom Blues returns to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 10, 2026. The band was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton Experience. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Basie Center to Honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s, Dramarama on Walk of Fame
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts will honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s and Dramarama by welcoming them onto its Walk of Fame. Pierson and Schneider will be inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 12:00pm, outside the historic theater in Red Bank, ahead of The B-52s’ concert at ParkStage in Freehold on Saturday, July 11. Dramarama, also performing at that concert, will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the show.
Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) will perform at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Doors open at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
Newton Theatre presents Dio Rules: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath & Dio on July 11th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- One voice. Three legendary bands. One unforgettable decade of rock. DIO RULES is a powerful live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio, one of the most influential voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal. See for yourself when the band comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Albert Music Hall's Bluegrass Fest on Saturday Celebrates Music and the Community Behind It
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Bluegrass is more than a style of music. It's a tradition built on storytelling, shared songs, and musicians gathering to play together. On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Albert Music Hall will celebrate that heritage during its annual Bluegrass Fest, an evening that combines educational sessions, opportunities to experience the Hall's renowned Pickin' Shed, and three hours of live performances.
2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Going on 20+ years, the annual, free, two-day Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival will take place the weekend of July 11-12, 2026, in Memorial Park in Maplewood. The festival features performances by Anders Osborne, Lettuce, Slap Dragon, and Megan Jean's Secret Family. It kicks off with music at noon and ends around 9:30pm each night. As always, it is free and welcomes the entire community.
bergenPAC presents Warrant on July 12th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Warrant on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. The California band first hit it big in 1989 with their album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.
Benson Boone to Perform at Prudential Center on July 13th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Benson Boone brings his 2026 U.S. Wanted Man Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. Last year, Boone received his first GRAMMY® nomination for Best New Artist at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, where Boone delivered a show-stopping performance of his breakthrough smash "Beautiful Things."
Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
