There wasn't a dry eye in the house when American country singer Dean Johnson brought his touching, funny, and deeply human stories to Roskilde Festival in 2024 with a concert that had the audience laughing and crying.
At the age of 50, he had just released his debut album, Nothing For Me, Please, which was a genuine masterpiece of understated and melancholic country spirit, lifted by a golden voice somewhere between Roy Orbison's croon and Neil Young's bright voice.
On stage, Johnson proved that his voice sounded even better live, and the humble country singer undoubtedly gained many new fans at the concert in 2024. These fans could consider themselves happy when Johnson followed up his phenomenal debut album in 2025 with another masterpiece in the form of I Hope We Can Still Be Friends. The album, released on the renowned alt-country label Saddle Creek, has garnered excellent reviews, prompting Paste Magazine, among others, to compare Johnson to artists such as John Prine and Tom Waits.
The album once again demonstrates Johnson's ability to portray life's quirky, lonely, and quiet existences with depth, humor, and touching empathy, and with the almost otherworldly beauty of his voice, he sheds light on destinies that would otherwise go unnoticed in the smoky and dark corners of the bar. It is a great pleasure to bring this masterful storyteller, singer, and musician back to Roskilde Festival, accompanied by his terrific band. Be prepared for salty tears to drip into your festival beer.
