The Sydney Guitar Festival announces its 2nd round of artists and events as it brings the best in guitar players of all styles to Sydney in August 2018. Announced today is another round of incredible performers coming to Sydney – and a world record attempt that will excite anyone who’s ever wanted to pick up a guitar.
Leading the second wave announcement and co-presented with Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) is US guitarist Marc Ribot, who Rolling Stone claims helped Tom Waits refine a new, weird Americana on 1985’s Rain Dogs. He has since become the go-to guitar guy for all kinds of roots-music adventurers: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello, John Mellencamp. Marc will be joined by two outstanding guitarists from SIMA’s roster of performers – Benjamin Hauptmann and Jess Green, performing new material with their groups Danaïdes and Bright Sparks.
Experience authentic Flamenco in Sydney with two of Spain’s most prominent guitarists Pedro Javier Gonzalez (ESP) and Paco Lara (ESP), joining Australia’s premier Flamenco group Bandaluzia, known for their powerful performances, unique sound and explosive displays of dazzling musicianship and virtuosity, for an unforgettable night of Flamenco.
Z-Star Trinity return to Australia for another powerhouse psyche blues rock experience! Shaking up the Australian blues scene, Zee Gachette’s inimitable talent for improvising onstage is simply exhilarating to watch, inspiring standing ovations from music legends like Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Roger Daltrey (The Who). She will be joined by Karen Lee Andrews (FKA Ms. Murphy), best known to Australia as a soul/gospel singer from The Voice. She has reconnected with her guitar, hitting new strides with a new blues style, that can only be described as,
Oceanic Blues.
The Turner Brown Band, a joint Australia/USA musical collaboration between Australian slide guitarist and music producer Dom Turner (of awarded blues act ‘Backsliders’ fame) and Ohio based ‘Sacred Steel’ vocalist and lap-slide guitar sensation Nikki D Brown. Nikki was born into a Church-based slide guitar tradition known as ‘Sacred Steel’ and has been described by Guitar World magazine as the “Jimi Hendrix of Sacred Steel”.
Voted the best live performance in the 2017 Sydney Guitar Festival, The Pioneers of Rock n Roll return in 2018! This electric experience features a 10 piece band of Sydney’s finest musicians and a few very special guests. Mutli-genre guitar virtuosos Dr Zane Banks & Drey Rollan and their spectacular Pioneers Band deliver a not-to-be missed concert which honours the Legends of the electric guitar and the songs they made famous, all played on original, rare, vintage Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, Rickenbacker and National guitars.
John and Rick Brewster pay homage to Bob Dylan in Mr Tambourine Man. Considered two of Australia’s best song writers and members of The Angels, they have had a lifelong love affair with Dylan’s music. This new show features John and Rick play the Dylan classics that have shaped today’s songwriters, made an indelible print on the international music scene and are fan favourites.
Electric and bass guitarists – young and old, beginners and pros – are invited to take part in the World Record attempt for the Largest Guitar Ensemble playing
AC/DC’s Highway To Hell!
After a sellout SGF 2017 show, everyone’s favourite Folk Idol Brian Campeau returns to Sydney for an encore performance of Get Blind With Brian. Brian will arrange music for a unique performance where the audience will be blindfolded for the entirety of the set.
This lineup joins artists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Kaki King, Grigoryan Brothers and theBeijing Guitar Duo, Albert Lee and the inaugural Sydney Guitar Festival Gala, showcasing some of the best guitarists doing what they do best.
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 and Sydney’s most iconic music venue The Enmore Theatre.
Tickets for all first round Sydney Guitar Festival events are on sale now.
Tickets for all 2nd round shows will be on sale from Monday, 30 April
For more information regarding lineup, tickets, venues and more visit
sydneyguitarfestival.com.au