Blues guitarist compared to Eric Clapton to perform in Barnoldswick

Connor Selby, who has drawn comparisons with Peter Green and Eric Clapton, is set to perform at the Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre next month with The Connor Selby Band..

For Selby, who is a guitarist that feels tone, touch and feeling are everything — the Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre is exactly where the music comes alive and his set on Wednesday, September 16th promises to leave an impression, as Selby has done in the blues world.

Connor Selby's restraint, phrasing and the ability to make a single note carry the weight of a lifetime. It is this quality that has drawn comparisons with the aching expressiveness of Peter Green, the melodic clarity and poise of Eric Clapton. He'll perform in Barnoldswick on September 16th. | Supplied by Peter Barton via release

placeholder image — Connor Selby's restraint, phrasing and the ability to make a single note carry the weight of a lifetime. It is this quality that has drawn comparisons with the aching expressiveness of Peter Green, the melodic clarity and poise of Eric Clapton. He'll perform in Barnoldswick on September 16th. | Supplied by Peter Barton via release

After emerging on the UK live circuit, recognition came quickly for Selby, who was voted UK Blues Awards "Young Artist of the Year" for three consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022) — a remarkable achievement that set him apart as one of the most significant emerging talents in British blues. His breakthrough to a wider audience came with his self-titled debut album on Provogue Records — a record that showcased not only his guitar mastery, but his ability to weave blues, soul and roots influences into a cohesive and contemporary sound, something that’ll shine in the intimate surroundings of the Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre.

Selby has quietly but decisively established himself as a major live performer. He has shared platforms with some of the biggest names in music, performing with The Who at Wembley Stadium and appearing at Hyde Park alongside Pearl Jam and Stereophonics. His touring résumé includes work with a formidable list of artists — from Beth Hart to Robert Cray, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Joanne Shaw Taylor — placing him firmly within the contemporary blues circuit at the highest level.

In 2024, Selby's standing within the wider guitar world was further underlined when he featured on Going Home (Theme From Local Hero), led by Mark Knopfler and featuring an extraordinary gathering of legendary players including Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Pete Townshend and Brian May. To be included among such company is no small thing — it is a clear signal that Selby is already recognised within the upper ranks of the guitar community.

His trajectory continued upward with the UK Blues Awards "Traditional Blues Artist of the Year" 2025, confirming his transition from rising star to established voice within British blues. Yet for all the accolades, it is in the live setting that Selby's music truly reveals itself. There is a calm, almost hypnotic quality to his performance — an unhurried confidence that allows the music to unfold naturally. He does not chase attention; he draws it in. The guitar sings, sighs and speaks, carrying echoes of the past while remaining unmistakably present.

For audiences, his Barnoldswick performance is an opportunity to witness one of the UK's finest young guitarists in full flight, up close and unfiltered. Tickets to see Selby in Barnoldswick are available at https://www.barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com/connor-selby-band