Teddy Thompson

How can a musician whose stock and trade is pain and heartache send such shivers of joy down your spine every time he sings? These are troubled times, and there may be no better balm for the world’s pain than immersing yourself in the songs of Teddy Thompson. 

The son of legendary British folk artists, Richard and Linda Thompson, Teddy has worked tirelessly to establish himself as a virtuoso artist in his own right. Saying that, one listen to his music is enough to convince anyone that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Whether he’s singing a country classic or one of his own tunes, Teddy Thompson inhabits a song like few other vocalists can. The dynamism of his voice is counterpointed by an intuitive guitar style that extends on his father’s quiet power and innovative phrasing.

Thompson moved from England to New York while barely out of his teens, and cut his musical teeth playing second guitar in his dad’s band before releasing a self-titled album in 2000 that introduced him to the world at large. Since then he’s released five albums of original music, three collections of classic country covers and an Everly Brothers infused selection of 50s music. Over the years, he’s collaborated on two of his father’s records as well as sitting in with good friends like Jenni Muldaur and Martha and Rufus Wainwright on various recording ventures. He’s contributed to numerous tribute projects, most notably the Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man soundtrack, sung with Marianne Faithfull and produced albums for Americana singer-songwriters Allison Moorer and Shelby Lynn, Dori Freeman, Roseanne Reid as well as his mother, Linda Thompson. 

We’re not sure what Teddy has in mind this weekend, but whether he’s singing his favourite songs of yesteryear, or new music from Never Be the Same, his most recent album, we’re grateful that he’s taken time out of his busy schedule to cast his musical spell and enchant us at this year’s Festival.-DH

SATURDAY 1:40-2:50 East Stage
SATURDAY 4:00-5:15 Stories from Across the Pond South Stage