RESPECTED singer-songwriter John Smith will bring his UK tour to South Cumbria this autumn in support of his brand-new album.

Following the release of his well-received new album Headlong, the singer and guitarist is set to headline at the Brewery Arts Centre, in Kendal, on Wednesday October 18.

The acoustic-led record, produced by Sam Lakeman and featuring Cara Dillon, is the follow up to Great Lakes, John’s widely-applauded and BBC Radio 2-supported release of 2013.

Headlong is the fifth album in a hard-working, under-the-radar career that has earned the Devon-born Smith a dedicated following and secured the respect and admiration of his peers.

He has opened shows for artists as diverse as Iron and Wine, John Martyn, Tinariwen and Gil Scott-Heron, and he has played on sessions for Joan Baez, Cara Dillon and Joe Henry among others, with Lianne La Havas and Lisa Hannigan both recruiting him to play lead guitar in their bands.

Having wound up his own successful two-year stint touring Great Lakes around the UK and Europe, in early 2016 John was finally afforded a chance to come off the road, settle in one place for a while. An opportunity which, for better or worse, Smith elected to decline.

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Whilst John Smith has stood still just long enough to commit this new album to record, there’s yet little danger of moss gathering. With a 24-date UK and European run this autumn, Smith has also been tapped to play guitar on the forthcoming album from Joan Baez, with an appearance on the forthcoming Martin Simpson album also in the works.

Tickets for the Kendal show are available from the Brewery Arts Centre box office.