Best of Budapest & Hungary

Ranked by Rolling Stone among the most important guitarists of the 21st century and often compared to Michelangelo for his artistry, Eric Johnson brings his extraordinary career to Budapest for the very first time. After more than a decade away from Europe, Johnson returns to the continent as part of his tour, with Hungarian audiences able to experience his breathtaking live playing on July 13 at Akvárium Klub.

    Eric Johnson is one of the most influential instrumental artists of the past four decades, synonymous with refined technique, musical versatility, and a timeless guitar tone. Hailing from Austin, Texas, he attracted the attention of leading musicians early in his career and has continued to redefine his artistic boundaries ever since. He gained worldwide recognition with the Grammy Award–winning Cliffs of Dover, but his body of work extends far beyond a single iconic track. Johnson uniquely blends elements of rock, blues, jazz, fusion, and classical music.

    His debut solo album Tones was released in 1986, followed by eleven studio albums and six live records. Over the past four decades, these releases have consistently placed him at the very top of his field, elevating the Texas guitarist to legendary status. In February 2024, Eric Johnson was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall of Fame, recognizing his lasting contributions as a songwriter and musician.

    Johnson has shown no signs of slowing down. In recent years, he has maintained an exceptionally active touring schedule, performing 67 shows across the United States in 2023. In early 2024, he joined Joe Satriani and Steve Vai on the highly successful G3 Reunion tour, with the resulting live album released in January 2025.

    The New Age Music Guide once wrote: “Eric Johnson plays the guitar the way Michelangelo painted frescoes - with a vivid richness of color that feels more real than reality.”

    In the fall of 2025, Johnson launched his latest project, the Texaphonic tour, built around the fresh, high-energy sound of a blues-rock power trio. At the core of his music remains the same philosophy that defined his early career: songcraft, emotion, and constant artistic growth. As Johnson puts it, “Ultimately, everything comes down to the music and the song - for me, the most important thing is to keep evolving with every new project and to communicate an ever more meaningful musical message.”

    The tour continues across the United States in spring 2026, followed by Johnson’s return to Europe and the UK in early summer after more than a decade. As part of the tour, Hungarian fans will have the chance to witness his distinctive playing live on July 13 at Akvárium Klub.

    Tickets go on sale on February 4 at 5:00 PM.