George Ezra

Hertford-reared and Bristol-based, singer/songwriter George Ezra came to attention with a deep, resonant, and emotionally weathered voice that seemed at odds with his youth. Drawing early inspiration from Bob Dylan and Hank Williams, he put out his first single, “Budapest,” at age 19; the amiable and soulful piece of classy folk-pop called to mind Willy Mason, Ben Howard, Ray LaMontagne, and Tom Odell. His debut full-length, Wanted on Voyage, topped the U.K. chart in 2014, as did the 2018 follow-up Staying at Tamara’s; the warm and affable Gold Rush Kid arrived as his third album in 2022.

Listing Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and James Baylin among his formative influences, Ezra issued the hugely successful single “Budapest” in 2013. That track and three others formed his debut EP, Did You Hear the Rain?, also from 2013. Further live work, including a Glastonbury set, led to the early-2014 release of his second EP, Cassy O'. “Budapest” returned to stores that June, and Wanted on Voyage followed weeks later; the album opened at number three on the U.K. chart, reached the summit before the year ended, earned four Brit Award nominations, and paved the way for a North American support slot with Sam Smith in early 2015. Around the same time he made his first U.S. television appearances on Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In April 2017 Ezra revealed plans for a “top secret” U.K. tour that would showcase fresh songs; the run coincided with the lead single “Don't Matter Now” from his next album. “Paradise” followed in January 2018, and Staying at Tamara’s appeared that March. Like its predecessor, the record claimed the top U.K. spot, brought another Brit Award nomination, and achieved gold and platinum status across several European territories. The soulful “Anyone for You,” issued in early 2022, previewed the third album, Gold Rush Kid, which reached stores in June after Ezra performed at The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration concert.