What started as a group of friends singing sea shanties in their kitchen has quickly become an international sensation. At least that's the story behind Bristol-based a capella folk group The Longest Johns. Crowds can expect to be transported to a maritime state of mind, with lyrics and vocal harmonies that pay homage to a life lived on the open sea. The group's salty spirit and unusual folks tunes, now backed by a full instrumental section, hearken back to the sailors of yore. After a rapid rise to success, the band of four friends is bringing their catchy, viral sea shanties stateside on the Smoke & Oakum Tour 2022. So make sure to hoist a beverage, grab tickets and sing along with hits from the group's fourth studio album, 2022's Smoke & Oakum.

The Longest Johns Live in Concert

The Longest Johns was formed seemingly on a whim one night by friends Josh Bowker, Andy Yates, Jonathaon Darley, and Dave Robinson. After an evening of singing sea shanties at a friend's barbecue in 2012, the Bristol-based group decided they should make their favorite pastime official. Branding themselves as an a capella folk shanty group, The Longest Johns released their debut EP, Bones in the Ocean, in 2013. They quickly earned a warm reception from local fans and were invited to perform at the 2015 Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival. In 2016, the group released their debut album, Written in Salt, followed by Between Wind and Water in 2018. The track "Wellerman" was included in the second album and would later turn into a viral hit in 2021. The Longest Johns added a new dimension to their performances in 2020 with the addition of instruments on the release of their third studio album, Cures What Ails Ya. In 2021, "Wellerman" gained viral international attention, and the band signed with Decca Records. The Longest Johns released their fourth album, Smoke & Oakum, in 2022, accompanied by a global tour of the same name.