With a voice that blends soul, blues, and heartfelt storytelling, UK singer-songwriter Luke Jackson has carved out a strong name in the Roots, Americana, and Folk scenes. Known for his powerful live performances and critically acclaimed albums, including the 5-star-rated Solo, Duo, Trio, Luke continues to captivate audiences across the UK and beyond.
As we count down to his much-anticipated performance at Costa Festival Ibiza 2026, we caught up with Luke to talk songwriting, musical influences, and what fans can expect from his set on the White Isle…
Are there particular artists or albums that shaped your musical identity early on?
When I was younger and before I started playing, I mainly listened to bands with the idea of being a rock & roller!
I quickly realised my friends at the time were more interested in football and figured I’d be going it alone with music. I dove into my old man’s record collection and spent a lot more time listening to lyrics, story telling & the art of filling out sound with just a guitar & vocal. I became hooked on artists like Bob Dylan, Richard Thompson, John Martyn, John Hiatt.
A little later on was introduced to Martyn Joseph & Steve Knightley and was fortunate enough to open for them a lot which was hugely inspiring.
How has your relationship with your music changed over the years? Do older songs still feel relevant to you?
I think naturally my writing has evolved over the years & I’ve taken inspiration from different genres which has therefore rubbed off in my own writing.
I don’t know how much my relationship with my music has changed though. I’ve always written songs I’ve wanted to write and have tried to stay true to that. Of course I have songs I listen back to and would now change an awful lot now, but I’m hoping that’s just a sign of progression!
When you’re not writing or performing, what refuels your creativity?
Definitely listening to music & discovering new artists. Although I still don’t do it enough, I try to watch a lot of live music, because putting the songs aside, I love to see someone perform to watch their stage presence, the way their set flows, the way they speak to the audience. I almost sit there taking notes on all these things and think how I could work them into what I do.
Do you approach solo performances differently than when you’re playing as a trio?
Yeah, I think naturally they are very different shows. Although we mainly play the same tunes, they are presented in a different way. Not only the way the songs sound, I find solo & trio different experiences.
Solo, I only have myself and the audience which gives me a lot of freedom and time to connect with the crowd.
Trio, it’s being locked in with the boys, feeding off each other’s energy and making sure the audience get some of that energy & joy from what we are doing on stage.
They are different but equally as joyous!
Is there a theme or message you find yourself returning to in your work?
I don’t think there’s a specific theme or message, but I do love to try and tell a story, paint a picture and take the listener on a bit of a journey through my songs. I grew up on artists who were marvellous at this and have always tried to replicate a similar approach with my own writing.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from a fellow musician?
To write songs for yourself and not to try and please people by writing stuff you think they want to hear.
It’s very easy to hear something that’s popular and try to recreate it with the hope it’ll do just as well but I don’t know how honest that is. So I’ve never really concentrated on a formula, or the idea of writing something simple, catchy or currently trendy, I’ve just written songs I like and am proud of and hope people enjoy them too!
If you could time travel and perform at any music venue or festival, past or present, where would you go?
I love in films like ‘Walk The Line’ and the new Dylan film ‘A Complete Unknown’ when they are touring around with a bunch of other artists and all playing a handful of songs each night to different towns. I think being a part of a scene that has come together and taken it out on the road would be so much fun!
More recently, there was a documentary where Mumford, Nathaniel Rateliff, Ben Howard & The Staves did something similar and travelled from Austin to Boston in old VW campers playing shows on route.
Something like that just sounds like the best time!
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