From pubs, to hospital wards and homes for the older people as well as more traditional live music venues, this year's Adelaide Guitar Festival is bringing the beautiful, divergent and diverse sounds of the guitar to the people of South Australia.
From 11-14 August, more than 300 artists will perform including 18 international acts, 66 national artists and almost 200 local musicians. There will also be four world premiere pieces as well as new component of the Festival, Resonance. This will see world-class guitarists playing in hospital wards and homes for older people around Adelaide during the first two weeks of August.
The PanicsThe Panics will perform live their soundtrack to Shane McNeil's film, 'Girt By Sea', a love letter to the Australian coast. The Festival is also spreading its wings to the Adelaide Town Hall where headliners Punch Brothers will show why they are the global kings of progressive bluegrass, while Béla Fleck, who won the 2016 Grammy for Best Folk Album, will team up with his partner Abigail Washburn in a true folk music explosion.
Punch BrothersAlso new to the Festival this year is Guitars in Bars and other places which will take Adelaide Guitar Festival to the pubs and clubs of South Australia. Rock, jazz, blues, folk and more; there are no limits, just a burning desire to play and hear incredible guitar sounds.
Festival Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan says: "This year, our Adelaide Guitar Festival stretches into new territory throughout the city, across platforms and encompasses new ideas and musical adventures. I am so excited to be bringing together world-leading artists who traverse many genres, to be exploring the nexus of health and music in our new Resonance programme and to be working with Adelaide’s own world-class musicians.”
Inspired by contemporary flamenco while embracing its Andalusian traditions, Bandaluzia presents a unique interpretation of the art form, imbued with elegance and precision. Led by captivating flamenco guitarist Damian Wright, with dancers Jessica Statham and Rosalie Cocchiaro, Ben Hauptmann on mandolin and James Hauptmann on percussion, Bandaluzia is known for weaving many musical influences into their performances.
Cruisin' DeucesGet rockabilly ready with the Sydney outfit Cruisin’ Deuces. Their energetic and joyful performance brings audiences to their feet as they invoke the young Elvis, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Hank Williams and Johnny Burnet.
For lovers of blues and roots Genevieve Chadwick is the one to see, who has been said to, “look like an angel, roar like a lion and play guitar like a demon”. On the same bill is one of folk’s finest Daniel Champagne, whose exhilarating style will leave you wanting more.
Genevieve ChadwickARIA winning songwriter Matt Walker brings beautiful guitar and poignant vocals in heart-stirring songs alongside Shane Reilly’s sweeping pedal steel. They perform a show together with Adelaide’s own Velvet Moth, a genre-mincing outfit comprised of players from legendary local surf/instro masters GT Stringer and acclaimed R&B favourites, The Streamliners.
Velvet MothThis year’s Festival will also feature 15 Minutes of Fame, where hopefuls can try their luck in the spotlight, plus Workshops, Artists Talks and Master Classes.
This is just a smattering of the talent on offer at this year's Adelaide Guitar Festival. Make sure you visit their website to fully immerse yourself in the 2016 programme.
The Adelaide Guitar Festival runs 11-14 August.
