After amping up audiences across the Eyre Peninsula and the Riverland with the regional touring program On the Road, it’s Adelaide’s turn to be wowed when Adelaide Guitar Festival accelerates into town.
“After a fantastic reception to our On the Road program on the Eyre Peninsula and in the Riverland, we are delighted to showcase our stellar line-up of international and homegrown performers at Adelaide Festival Centre this weekend. Take your pick from an array of ticketed and free events, from classical to rock, metal to family-friendly,” said Adelaide Guitar Festival Artistic Director, Slava Grigoryan.
Over the next few amped up days, the world’s best guitarists are set to electrify audiences with the ultimate in guitar performances across classical, flamenco, jazz, blues, country, folk, rock and metal. Shows strumming up interest this year:
On Friday 14 July, The Music of Jeff Beck is set to raise the roof of Her Majesty’s Theatre. In an unforgettable tribute featuring leading musicians including Paul Mason, James Muller, Jeremy Sawkins and Kathleen Halloran with powerhouse singers, Carla Lippis and Nina Ferro who wowed audiences during her Adelaide Cabaret Festival performance with Vince Jones in Come in Spinner.
In an Australian exclusive and direct from Seville, Colours of Spain presents a magnificent journey through the vibrant landscape of Spain. Featuring a stunning solo classical guitar performance from Andrea González. Caballero, followed by Compañia Flamenca and Antonio Andrades bringing five dancers and four musicians direct from fellow UNESCO City of Music, Seville. This beautiful program will fill the stage with passion, energy, and spectacular flare for one spectacular night at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday 15 July.
Joseph Tawadros Australia’s leading Oud virtuoso and seven-time ARIA Award winner presents a solo presentation. Having performed in concert halls worldwide and known for his brilliant technique, deep musicianship, storytelling, and joyous style of performance, audiences will relish the opportunity to see him perform solo at Dunstan Playhouse on Friday 14 July. 2022’s Adelaide International Classical Guitar champion, Connor Whyte shares the bill.
Nurtured in the cradle of French gypsy jazz, Antoine Boyer moves effortlessly across classical, jazz, avant-garde and beyond, with absolute authority and profound musical understanding. At just 27 years of age, he is already known as one of the finest players of his generation and has headlined festivals all over Europe and the USA.
He has won prestigious classical awards and was named Révélation Guitare Classique 2016 by the French magazine Guitare Classique and has a long-standing collaboration with legendary flamenco guitarist Samuelito. He comes exclusively to Adelaide Guitar Festival in his Australian debut, together with dazzling Korean harmonica virtuosa and multi-instrumentalist Yeore Kim.
Their performance will traverse jazz to gypsy, rock to classical and beyond, with extraordinary creative interplay. With special guest Kathleen Halloran at Dunstan Playhouse on Sunday 16 July.
Passionate Spanish flamenco guitarist, Paco Lara with a distinguished international career in Europe and Australia of more than 30 years, launches his new album Duende with a Spanish Flamenco show at Space Theatre on Sunday 16 July.
Enjoy family fun with Whistle & Trick. This dynamic duo love to sing, dance and play and are joined by their 5-piece band and furry character friends. Catch all the fun on Sunday 16 July at Space Theatre.
South Australian performers not to be missed (on the bill with fantastic interstate artists) include:
Two South Australian music legends, Chris Finnen and Gwyn Ashton share the bill in a world class night of blues at Space Theatre on Friday 14 July.
Adelaide metal band Freedom of Fear are set to make their Adelaide Guitar Festival debut after commanding attention across the nation. With dual guitar shredding, astonishing musicianship and compelling performance, they are hailed as one of the best kept secrets in the Australian metal underground. Fellow locals Ekosa open the night, Saturday 15 July at Space Theatre.
Blues & Roots features the stream of Adelaide Guitar Festival’s Winter School. This year’s Blues & Roots participants will perform in a free concert on Friday 14 July at Space Theatre.
Adelaide Guitar Festival Orchestra which features players from Adelaide Guitar Festival Winter School open for the celebrated Melbourne Guitar Quartet on Saturday 15 July at Dunstan Playhouse.
“Adelaide Guitar Festival has struck a chord with legendary guitarists across the globe bringing them to South Australia to celebrate the world’s most popular instrument,” said The Hon Andrea Michaels MP, South Australian Minister for Arts.
“Testament to the importance of nurturing our own musicians, Adelaide Guitar Festival always provides exceptional opportunities for emerging artists and performances from our rich home-grown talent.”
Make sure to catch the brightest new stars in the classical world of guitar when performers from all around the world including South Korea, U.S.A, Russia, Germany, Scotland and our very own home-grown Australian talent descend on Adelaide for the Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition.
Established in 2010, the Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition has become the most prestigious guitar competition in the southern hemisphere.
The Adelaide International Guitar Competition has proved to be an exceptional springboard for up-and-coming artists including 2022 winner, Adelaide’s own Connor Whyte who shares the bill with Joseph Tawadros this year at Dunstan Playhouse on Friday 14 July.
This year’s winner will win a cash prize of $10,000 and a coveted Jim Redgate guitar valued at $23,000 in addition to a concert performance at the 2024 Adelaide Guitar Festival. Be sure to check out the competition in a free public event at Dunstan Playhouse on Sunday 16 July at 10.00am.
“Adelaide audiences can be amongst the first to witness the next big thing in classical music when artists from across the globe take part in the Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition,” said Slava Grigoryan.
We have crowned some incredible winners since the competition began in 2010 and I look forward to seeing who takes out the prize this year.”
“I am so proud to welcome artists from across the globe who are taking part in the Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition, since the competition’s inception in 2010, we have crowned some incredible winners and I look forward to seeing who takes out the prize this year,” said Mr Grigoryan.
In addition to the ticketed events, Adelaide Guitar Festival will also see the return of the Guitar Expo, where participants can meet and talk with expert makers of beautifully crafted, bespoke instruments and gear.
Festival Partner Yamaha brings back the popular Come and Try sessions, where festival goers can experiment with the latest Yamaha guitars and equipment.
Across Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July, a series of engaging free artist talks throughout the day will include:
- Songs in Language – First Nations artists reviving language through song writing and singing songs on country
- Mums in Music
- The Musical Legacy of Jeff Beck
- Green Music – addressing the environmental impact of music performance and touring
- The Spanish Guitar with Dr Paul Nash
- Can A.I Play Guitar?
- Finnenisms – by South Australian king of the blues Chris Finnen
“Catering to all musical tastes and ages, there is so much to enjoy as we celebrate another great Adelaide Guitar Festival,” said Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM.
“In an exceptional program of events and performances across four days, I am delighted to celebrate Adelaide’s UNESCO Creative Cities connection with fellow UNESCO City of Music, Seville and welcome Compania Flamenca Antonio Andrade and his company of dancers and musicians direct from Spain with classical guitarist Andrea Gonzalez Caballero in the Australian exclusive, Colours of Spain at the iconic Her Majesty’s Theatre.”
The 2023 Adelaide Guitar Festival continues to Sunday 16 July. For more information and full program, visit: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au for details.
Image: Adelaide Guitar Festival Orchestra – courtesy of Adelaide Festival Centre