Carrie Martin at The Lantern Theatre (with Jon Cocker)

Name: Carrie Martin at The Lantern Theatre (with Jon Cocker)
Start: 2026-05-23T19:30:00+01:00
Location: The Lantern Theatre, Sheffield

Schedule

Sat, 23 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

The Lantern Theatre, Sheffield | Sheffield, EN

Carrie Martin is no stranger to Sheffield, but May brings her to the stage of The Lantern Theatre for the first time!
While this more then accomplished folkie has performed with the likes of Gordon Giltrap and Oliver Wakeman, and attracted alumni from Fairport Convention, Steely Dan and Heart to her recordings, she is quite happy as a solo artist accompanying herself on stage with guitar or dulcimer. Carrie's remarkable voice shines above her intricate guitar parts.
Expect an evening of gentle warmth, with exquisitely played intimate songs that call to the soul.
The evening will be opened with a set from local artist Jon Cocker.

Carrie Martin
Carrie is a true born and bred Yorkshire lass, born in Hull. She first picked up a guitar at the age of four and made her first public performance at the tender age of nine, playing at a school concert, later in clubs alongside her father, who worked the circuit as a guitarist and vocalist.
In her teens she made a name for herself locally, with her songs played on local radio and performing live. By the end of her teens she changed tack, inspired by the Bangles, Transvision Vamp and Ann Wilson from Heart, dropping the guitar in favour of a ‘rock chick’ makeover and fronting bands as a singer. Her first band was named Foreign Affair, which may well be one of the most ‘eighties’ names for a band ever conceived!
After marrying she had twin boys and abandoned the guitar to the loft, where it gathered dust for two decades.
In 2011 she attended a Gordon Giltrap concert only to be invited to step in as support act when the opening act backed out. Encouraged enormously by Gordon, she played and sang a short set of cover versions, and even accompanied him at one point.
From this, and with Gordon’s support, a new musical career started to take shape.
She quite soon put out her first release, a seven-track EP entitled “Luna”, which gathered some favourable attention, including from Giltrap. He became her chief mentor and close friend. Carrie puts a great deal of the success she has had down to his friendship and unflagging support.
2014 saw the release of her first full album, “What If”, on which she was joined as guest musicians by not only Gordon but also Oliver Wakeman (son of Rick) and Ric Sanders from Fairport Convention.
She also became an endorser of Vintage / JHS guitars, her instrument of choice for some years and a source of constant support. She has also become the proud owner of a beautiful Fylde guitar, crafted by the great guitar-maker Roger Bucknall.
“Seductive Sky” was the next release in 2018. This time the sound was much richer, with a full band treatment on several of its tracks, once again there were guest players, Gordon Giltrap MBE, Oliver Wakeman, and Elliott Randall.
The album demonstrates a quantum leap in terms of the subtlety and craftsmanship of her songwriting, both musically and lyrically.
“Entity” followed “Seductive Sky” in 2020, recorded partly by Mikey Scott. Carrie’s own son Ben, having only just finished his degree in sound engineering, stepped up to finish recording the last bits of the album after the pandemic took hold.
Mixed and mastered by Wayne Proctor of ‘House of Tone’ it once again saw Oliver Wakeman and Gordon Giltrap guesting with the addition of ex Bad Company guitarist Dave Colwell on two of the tracks. It gained great reviews and airplay.
“Evergreen” followed three years later and managed to be Carrie’s most eclectic and varied collection yet, featuring tracks ranging from the delicate folk of ‘Lost In The Right Time’, through the soul-blues of ‘Deep Blue Heaven’ and the poppier ‘Girl With A Feather’, all the way to the prog-rock influences displayed on the ambitious eight-minute ‘Keep In The Light’.
“Phenomenal”
Rick Wakeman CBE
“Martin is equally skilled on guitar, on vocals and as writer. The voice is distinctive- the crystalline purity and range of a Kate Bush, the depth and delicacy of a Sandy Denny. And the songs to which she applies them stand up with any of her peers. The chord sequence of the title track evokes Joni Micthell’s Hejira album.”
Trevor Raggatt, RnR Magazine.
“It’s pretty obvious from the moment you hear Carrie Martin sing that she is an outstanding vocalist with passion in each breath. Don't be too sidetracked by that voice and stage persona and well-crafted songs, because you might just miss the fact that she is a fine guitar player as well!”
Gordon Giltrap
https://www.carriemartin.co.uk/
https://carriemartin1.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/carriemartin259
https://www.instagram.com/carriemartinmusic/
Jon Cocker
Jon plays a warm, full-sounding blend of alternative/folk acoustic music. He grew up in Sheffield (UK) and played in bands in Leeds and Norwich, inspired by artists such as The Allman Brothers. He uses his band experience to combine a full guitar sound with insightful, emotive vocals, playing at festivals such as Wild Paths in Norwich alongside the likes of José González. Performing regularly in Leeds, Sheffield and surrounding areas, his debut EP was likened to Nick Drake, Neil Young, and Jeff Buckley, and captures all the emotion possible in this age of time pressures and distraction. His second album, ‘Two’, expands on this, with a slightly more uplifting edge. Jon balances thoughtful nature-inspired vocals with his Sheffield city roots, to produce a subtle yet euphoric sound appreciated at gigs across the UK.
"Jon Cocker is an authentic … Cocker’s got some of Young’s twang and a touch of Buckley’s rare vibrating sustain. Sparse production is all that’s needed to aid in the illumination of this brilliant performance. Cocker effectively captures their aura in song." The Wild Is Calling
”Cocker’s excellent acoustic guitar playing, freewheeling sense for melody, soulful vocals, and intimate recordings on not only “Green Blue” but his entire self-titled EP make it easy to draw comparison between him and Nick Drake. As he sings “All my love fades to grey”, you feel the muted reality of heartache: no spectacle, just a lingering lack of colour." COUNTERZINE
"This musician from the United Kingdom has definitely deserved your attention. Especially if you want to spend some little time for your summertime sadness. His voice sounds so alive. As a contrast for modern autotune addiction, these waves go through the ears right into my heart." FAETON MUSIC
https://www.joncocker.com/
https://joncocker.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/joncockermusic/
https://www.instagram.com/joncocker/
https://www.joncocker.com/stream