Benji Kirkpatrick plays for Ripon Live Music - RAOS Hall

Benji returns 10 years after he first brought his 'Bendrix' show to Ripon.

In 2015, Benji Kirkpatrick presented his Bendrix project; an exploration into the songwriting of Jimi Hendrix. Known for his pioneering and influential guitar work, Hendrix's skill as a songwriter was often overlooked and the project (an hilarious amalgamation of respective names) aimed to peel away the layers of guitar, psychedelia and the era to uncover the lyricism of Hendrix in a stripped back setting.

10 years on, in 2025, Benji reprises the project marking 55 years since the death of the ground breaking musician. Being his first real musical icon, Hendrix has been a big influence on Benji's work, albeit in a somewhat subtle way as Benji is known for his exploits on the UK folk scene!

The full album, Hendrix Songs, released with the original project will be performed live, with a little reworking here and there and a generous helping of newly worked up material from the guitarist's catalogue.

Songs like The Wind Cries Mary, May This Be Love and Angel reveal Hendrix as a sensitive writer, which balances out his reputation as an axe wielding showman. Some of the songs are a real challenge to bring into a solo acoustic setting but the journey of doing that is very rewarding and the material stands up to this kind of reinterpretation. - BK.

As well as solo, Benji performs with Bellowhead and Seth Lakeman; was a member of Steeleye Span and Faustus and has worked with a plethora of musicians across the wider folk, roots and acoustic scene.

A fine tribute to Hendrix and a fine album from Benji Kirkpatrick - Irish Post.

A rare chance to hear the songs stripped back the their atmospheric essentials Sunday Times.

The Wind Cries Mary and May This Be Love sound like lyrical folk songs A well performed set. - The Guardian.
This event will be seated.

The Arts Hub well stocked bar will open at 7.00, the hall will open for seating at 7.30 and the music will start at about 8.00.