SECOND LINE-UP And NEW SHOWS

Announced For The Inaugural

SYDNEY GUITAR FESTIVAL

The inaugural Sydney Guitar Festival has been announced and it is set to inhabit musical spaces across the city from Wednesday 23rd – Sunday 27th August 2017.

The hype for the festival continues with new shows added and the announcement of a second line-up, featuring Sydney guitarist Zane Banks (Crusin’ Deuces), composer Van Larkins, Lead guitarist Drey Rollan from The Drey Rollan Band, Clayton Doley, contemporary guitarist Michael Fix, ARIA nominated flamenco guitarist Damian Wright, nationally recognised jazz player Ben Hauptmann, Aussie phenomenon Adam Miller and solo blues/roots performer Claude Hay (supporting Richie Kotzen).

Joining the newly announced acts, Virtuoso guitarist Joe Robinson, acclaimed by many of the world’s great players, will also be performing at the festival. As the winner of Australia’s Got Talent 2008, he is a brilliant singer-songwriter with a story to tell and walks a tightrope between the instrumental music that’s put him in the spotlight and a unique fusion of rock, blues, jazz, and R&B that’s entirely his own.

The festival will also feature an exciting premiere screening of a new Modern Acoustic guitar documentary “Acoustic Uprising”, that features Tommy Emmanuel, Andy Mckee, Kaki King and Newton Faulkner, just to name a few. The film, from Melbourne film-producer Drew Roller, is dedicated to taking a magnified look at the world of modern Acoustic Fingerstyle guitar, through the lens of its history and its people to truly understand the music and movement.

The lineup of performances already announced includes Guitarra: featuring the legendary Paco Peña and Australia’s finest Classical guitar duo the Grigoryan Brothers, Australian guitarists paying tribute to Eric Clapton in Crossroads, US blues-rock virtuoso Richie Kotzen, Aussie legend and frontwoman of ARIA award winning band Superjesus Sarah McLeod, the incredible American Jazz guitarist Sheryl Bailey, a celebration of B.B. King & Chuck Berry, local guitar prodigy James Norbert Ivanyi, and lots more.

Consisting of workshops, master classes and performances from both local and international artists, Sydney Guitar Festival will be a celebration of the rich world of guitar music and culture, exploring all sounds from Classical and Flamenco, Jazz, Blues and Rock; inviting music lovers of all flavours.

Venues housing the diverse lineup of events include Marrickville’s largest hub of arts and culture, The Factory Theatre, Northern Sydney’s performing arts gateway The Concourse, Sydney’s most iconic music venue The Enmore Theatre, and one of the world’s top Jazz clubs Venue 505.

Fueled by a love of guitar music, its diverse history, and its exciting future, the Sydney Guitar Festival is an event that aims to celebrate and contribute to the vibrant Sydney music scene for years to come.

New Shows Added

Acoustic Uprising Premiere
Sun 27th August @ Concourse Concert Hall

Be inspired by the screening of the critically acclaimed music documentary featuring interviews with some of the world’s leading guitarists, followed by a discussion with director Drew Roller and host of Guitar Speak Podcast, Matt Wakeling. Van Larkins will then perform a live set from his recently released album.

Joe Robinson
Thursday 24th August @ Leadbelly

Accompanied by Adam Miller, Robinson will walk the tightrope between the instrumental music that has put him in the spotlight and a unique fusion of vocally based rock, blues, jazz and R&B that is entirely his own.

Pioneers Of Rock N Roll
Saturday 26th August @ Concourse Theatre

BB King to Chuck Berry. Across continental journey through the roots and evolution of American popular music and the electric guitar featuring Zane Banks (Cruisin’ Deuces), Drey Rollan, Clayton Doley and more.

Slide Evolution
Saturday 26th August @ Factory Theatre

An evening of Blues inspired Slide Guitar with Jeff Lang, Dom Turner (Backsliders), and The Fiona Boyes Band.

Get Blind With Brian!
Thursday 24th August @ Django Bar

Brian will be arranging music for a unique performance where the audience is to be blindfolded.

Damian Wright + Special Guests
Friday 25th August @ Venue 505

A rare solo flamenco recital in which he will present the extraordinary variety of music styles with the flamenco guitar tradition.

Closing Night Jam
Sunday 27th August @ Concourse Concert Hall

The night will conclude with an epic live jam sessions with some of the festival’s best guitarists backed by The Fiona Boyes Band, guaranteed to leave you inspired and invigorated for another year of guitar obsession.