World-class guitarist & captivating storyteller coming to Barnoldswick
It’s a rare opportunity to witness a European blues legend to perform in an intimate setting.
A world-class guitarist, a captivating storyteller, and one of the last great travelling bluesmen is to perform a hotly anticipated show at the Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre on Tuesday, October 20th.
Hans Theessink, who is a renowned guitarist, mandolinist, singer and songwriter from the Netherlands, has travelled the world carrying the spirit of the blues to audiences across Europe, North America and beyond.
After more than 8,000 concerts and over 50 years on the road, Theessink has earned a reputation as one of the most respected and authentic roots musicians anywhere in the world. Lyrically, his music is a deeply personal and heartfelt conversation with the roots of blues, gospel, folk and Americana.
With his deep, sonorous baritone voice, unmistakable fingerpicking style and profound understanding of traditional American roots music, Theessink has become one of Europe's greatest musical exports and one of the most revered acoustic blues artists of his generation. The American blues press has described him as "an international blues treasure" and "one of the world's pre-eminent pickers," while rock and blues legend Bo Diddley simply summed him up as "One helluva guitar player."
Over the course of an extraordinary career, Hans has released more than thirty albums, a songbook, instructional materials and concert DVDs. His recordings are celebrated not only for their musical excellence but also for their audiophile-quality sound, making them favourites among music lovers and hi-fi enthusiasts worldwide.
His remarkable journey has brought him alongside some of the most iconic names in modern music. From country legends such as Dolly Parton and Cowboy Jack Clement to folk heroes including Arlo Guthrie, Donovan, Richard Thompson, Derroll Adams and The Dubliners; from funk giants Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis to roots and blues royalty including Ry Cooder, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Terry Evans, Bobby King, Charles Brown and The Holmes Brothers.
And despite his longevity, Theessink’s performances remain as powerful and engaging as ever. His music is rich with warmth, humanity and wisdom. Every song feels lived-in, every note serves the story, and every performance reminds audiences why the blues remains one of the most enduring and emotionally resonant forms of music ever created.
His performance in Barnoldswick promises to be a rare opportunity to experience an artist whose life has been dedicated to preserving, celebrating and advancing the music he loves. Tickets are available at https://www.barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com/hans-theessink-2026