Hire Christopher James | Guitarist in London

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From£437.50

1 hour

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1-3 of 4 videos

Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude | J.S. Bach

Bourrée / Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: VII. Gigue | Trad. / J.S. Bach

FILKIN'S DRIFT - Clywai'r Tabwrdd

About Christopher

Welsh folk guitarist and singer. Featured live on BBC Radio 3, played Glastonbury three times, and tours across Europe with Tanita Tikaram.

3 of 7 photos

Guitarist

London

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Chris Roberts (aka Hafren) is a folk guitarist and singer who works regularly across the UK and Europe. As a collaborative guitarist spanning multiple genres, he has featured live on BBC Radio 3’s 'In Tune', as well as performing three times at Glastonbury Festival, and touring Europe with pop-singer Tanita Tikaram. He recently devised and undertook an 870-mile walking tour with his folk duo Filkin’s Drift. This radical approach to sustainable touring earned the duo global attention from major news outlets including BBC News, Billboard, The i, Radio New Zealand, Canadian Broadcasting Company, and The Times. Chris has a master's degree with distinction in classical guitar from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Christopher's Reviews

Gorgeous close vocal harmonies

A lovely performance

Christopher's Song list

-- FOLK --

1. Simon & Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair

2. Jack Johnson - Better Together

3. Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks

4. Tracy Chapman - Fast Car

5. Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man

6. The Lumineers - Ophelia

7. Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

8. John Mayer - Why Georgia

9. Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven

10. Bob Dylan - Blowin’ in the Wind

11. Richard Thompson - Beeswing

-- TRADITIONAL --

1. Wild Mountain Thyme

2. The Parting Glass

3. The Water is Wide

4. Danny Boy

5. Arthur McBride

6. Black Velvet Band

7. Galway Shawl

8. Leaving of Liverpool

9. Wild Rover

10. Marie’s Wedding

-- POP --

1. George Ezra - Budapest

2. Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

3. Radiohead - High and Dry

4. Coldplay - Fix You

5. Plain White T’s - Hey There Delilah

6. Maroon 5 - She Will be Loved

7. The 1975 - All I Need to Hear

8. Elton John - Your Song

9. The Beatles - Norwegian Wood

10. The Beatles - Blackbird

-- BLUEGRASS --

1. Shady Grove

2. Red Rocking Chair

3. I’ll Fly Away

4. I Saw the Light

5. Shenandoah

6. Ralph McTell - Streets of London

7. Tony Rice - Church Street Blues

8. Wayfaring Stranger

9. Weeping Willow Tree

-- WELSH --

1. Calon lan

2. Ar Hyd y Nos

3. Suo Gan

4. Ar Lan y Mor

5. Lisa Lan

6. Bugeilio’r Gwyneth Gwyn

7. Hiraeth

8. Adar Man y Mynydd

9. Dacw Nghariad

10. Yma o Hyd

-- HYMNS --

1. Amazing Grace

2. Be Thou My Vision

3. How Great Thou Art

4. Great is Thy Faithfulness

5. Blessed Assurance

6. When I Survey

7. Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

8. I Stand Amazed

9. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

10. 10,000 Reasons

11. Thine be the Glory

-- CHRISTMAS --

1. Silent Night

2. O Holy Night

3. The First Noel

4. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

5. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen

6. In the Bleak Midwinter

7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

8. O Come All Ye Faithful

9. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

10. Auld Lang Syne

-- JAZZ --

1. Fly Me to the Moon

2. What a Wonderful World

3. Ain’t No Sunshine

4. La Vie en Rose

5. Summertime

6. Autumn Leaves

7. Feeling Good

8. Misty

9. What a Difference a Day Makes

10. Favourite Things

Christopher's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£375
Up to 1 hour	£437.50
Up to 2 hours	£500
Up to 3 hours	£750

Wedding ceremony

This includes music before the service begins, hymns, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.

£625

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients say that I have a great sense of atmosphere, and usually pitch the set just right!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I have played in arts centres, folk clubs, and big stages all across the UK and Europe. Highlights include Glastonbury Festival and St George's (Bristol).

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I love Sufjan Stevens! Mumford and Sons were also a big influence when I was younger.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I have played the Acoustic and Avalon stages at Glastonbury, as well as supporting Van Morrison at Glastonbury Abbey as part of Tanita Tikaram's band.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let me know.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

I can provide this for one hour before, and one hour after performance time for an additional £50.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually set up about 1 hour before the performance time. As soon as the PA is set up I can provide a free playlist service to help set the atmosphere.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

You can choose any songs from my song list in advance, as well as requesting up to 3 unique songs for me to learn.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, absolutely! I bring my own instrument to play acoustically, and can also provide a small PA system to amplify myself if needed.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes. Every performance fee includes requests up to three unique pieces for me to learn.

Musicianship

Genres:

Folk, Contemporary Christian, Classical crossover, Traditional English folk, Welsh folk, Light music, Easy listening

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Instruments:

Guitar, Singing guitarist

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Event types:

Wedding, Virtual event, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve

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Other skills:

Accompanist, Instrumental teaching, Composition teaching, Community music worker, Arranger, Composer, Transcription, Fluent sight-reader, Fluent improviser

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