Chris Tavener

Jangly-guitar rock and a biting sense of humour meet in the storytelling songs of Chris Tavener. A theatrical musician with an acerbic wit, Tavener writes his lyrics from the perspective of flawed characters that he draws from 21st century life.

His cynical social commentary, dressed in punchy, guitar-driven rock and acoustic ballads has won him acclaim from BBC 6 Music and multiple BBC Introducing stations. He’s popular for his unique and theatrical live performance that has seen him sharing the stage with Super Hans, Emily Capell, Tony Hadley and Peter Hook of Joy Division while also writing songs for the likes of Sir Ian McKellen.

Tavener's 2022 EP, ‘Easy Ways To Be Happy’, saw his keenly sardonic style develop into an energetic, full-band sound. His latest work took him on tour with viral-hit sensation Thomas Benjamin Wild Esquire.
He is back at the writing desk in 2023 and plans, as always, to appear across the UK and beyond.

“”An interesting lad with an elastic turn of phrase” – Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music

“Nice set. Kinks-y vibes” – Carl Barat, The Libertines

“The idiosyncratic but ever so loveable Chris Tavener. Try and see him live, he really creates an amazing atmosphere” – Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2)