Richard Walters: Songs from the Solent

An evening of music and conversation with Alton based singer-songwriter Richard Walters, playing music from his new album, 'Songs From the Solent'.

Richard Walters spent the summer of 2025 as Artist in Residence for the Solent Seascape Project, a marine conservation initiative aimed at restoring and reconnecting vital coastal habitats across one of Europe's most heavily used waterways. He spent that time meeting sea swimmers and choir singers, climbing to the top of the Spinnaker Tower, gathering field recordings at the water's edge, and listening hard to the communities and habitats of one of England's most distinctive coastlines. The result is Songs From the Solent: eight original songs that weave together local voices, natural sounds and Richard's own Grammy-nominated artistry into something genuinely unlike anything else.

In a special one-off event for Alton Arts Festival, Richard will perform music from the project in the intimate setting of Goldfinch Books, and talk about the experience with Louise MacCallum of the Blue Marine Foundation – the people working on the ground to protect these threatened landscapes.

Live music, honest conversation, and a reminder of what's worth fighting to preserve – right on our doorstep.

Doors 7:30pm

Start 8:00pm