Dom Martin and Thomas Heppell – Bath Arts Chapel

Fresh off winning Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2025 UK Blues Awards, acclaimed guitarist and singer-songwriter Dom Martin performed at Bath’s Chapel Arts Centre, on his UK Acoustic Tour.

Known for his raw talent and emotional depth, Martin continues to redefine modern blues guitar. The acoustic tour offers a rare chance to experience his artistry in an intimate, stripped-back setting. Joining him on tour is Thomas Heppell, and together they delivered a powerful night of soul-stirring music.

One of the best guitarists around, Martin has been likened to the late greats Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore with his skilful playing, deep songwriting skills, powerful vocal and commanding stage presence.

Not just a remarkably proficient instrumentalist, capable of shredding but also concerned with taste and restraint, he is also a taut, talented songwriter. While blues is his backbone, he moves into rock and folk, while staying grounded in darker roots.

The magic is in how Martin absorbs the American deep South delta sound, the Memphis frenetic groove and the dusty juke joint mood in his vocals and through his strings.

He opens with a wonderful respectful performance of John Martyn’s “Discover the Lover” capturing not only the musical vitality but the soul, tonality, intonation and phrasing of Martyn who was a master songsmith.

Then his own “Haunted” with a beautifully played instrumental first half which was then accompanied by Martin’s soulful vocal lines. Martin’s fingers danced effortlessly across the fretboard, weaving intricate melodies and soulful solos before “Echoes” and “Breathe”, where the guitar dexterity and tumble of notes is essential listening.

Excellent slide on “12 Gauge”, a fearsome blast and a sign that things are warming up and the amps fizzing. Martin begins the slow blues of “Daylight I Will Find’ with strummed chords and a skeletal solo.

But by the end of “Last Train and Ride” he has shifted to Gallagher-styled force, increasing the volume but not the speed. For the rest of the set, Dom is joined by bass player Ben Graham.

His ability to coax beautiful sounds out of his instrument on the tumbling, cascading fingerpicked “Bankers Blues” ups the tempo when he sings like John Martyn, rumbling and grumbling the words over intricately picked notes. The plaintive, almost widescreen feel of the song makes it shine like a diamond.

Two extended pieces, “Easy Way Out” and “Hell for You, Mercy” give him the opportunity to stretch out lyrically and instrumentally. His technically sophisticated playing and shadowy emotional singing shifts from a harrowing growl to a sensitive whisper. His dusky voice, like that of Richard Thompson, helps propel the ballads.

“Hell For You …” is a dark sounding piece with an almost classical introduction that morphs into “Mercy” and underlines his support for all of those who are alone and lonely in these troubling times. Sultry “Daylight I Will Find”, is an upbeat feel-good song with thumping blues, grainy vocals and abrasive slide guitar.

One of the most beautiful songs is “Belfast Blues” where Martin, talking about being clean and sober after hitting drink and drugs whilst being homeless; sings “been shot, stabbed and burned out, with the Belfast blues again”. Grim and seductive blues with swishing slide guitar work.

“Dealer”, the highlight of the evening, builds to an intense and powerful final section. Martin knew precisely how to build the performance and just when you thought he had hit his peak, he would dial it up a notch. He doesn’t so much write these songs as rip them from deep inside. He doesn’t “have” to play live, he “needs” to. And that’s a key difference.

Ending the set with a tribute to Rory Gallagher, Martin performs “Should Have Learned My Lesson” treating the audience to one last experience of his amazing fretwork abilities.

While he has carved his own unique niche in the blues-rock scene, the echoes of Gallagher's influence are undeniable. The energy, the stage presence, and the undeniable connection with the audience all evoked memories of the legendary Irish guitarist.

A unique, vital artist, at times the hugely talented Martin seems to be channelling the spirit of some long-gone originator of this music, while putting his own modern stamp on it. These heartfelt performances are sure to leave a lasting impression.