Holly Carter

‘Buckets of tone and timeless style’ – Martin Harley

‘Holly brings masterful skills as a musician and composer, along with an engaging
commitment to music’s rich tradition of accompanying social change. Go see her!’
Martyn Joseph

AMAUK Instrumentalist of the Year 2023 & 2024


Holly Carter is a multi-award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Bristol, UK. Widely recognised as an exceptional fingerstyle guitarist and one of the UK’s only
professional female pedal steel players, she is making waves not only as a tasteful and
sensitive accompanist, but as an artist in her own right.

While her technique found its feet in an early music education based in classical guitar,
it was an exposure to the likes of Mark Knopfler, Doc Watson and John Fahey that really
shaped her own unique approach to fingerstyle guitar, combining the technical prowess
of classical technique with the roughness and edge of early American folk and blues.

Her live shows are a masterclass in using joy, humour and music to foster a sense of community and hope, creating a profound sense of connection with the audience; it’s easy to see how she has drawn comparisons with others for whom music is innately connected with social activism, such as Billy Bragg and Marisa Anderson. Her extensive work in community music settings and for charities such as Live Music Now has informed an approach to music as a right, not a privilege, and Holly is a proud advocate for the importance of keeping music accessible for all.

Her upcoming album, ‘Leave Your Mark’ is due for release on Oct 3rd 2025