What’s Goin’ On
All the best guitar events happening over the next few weeks, in one place
Adrian Legg 2 June Mycenae House, London
Last year, the intimate surroundings of Mycenae House in Blackheath played host to Clive Carroll, and this summer they will follow it up in style. Acclaimed fingerstyle player Adrian Legg rarely plays in his home country now, so this represents a very special opportunity to see a brilliant and influential virtuoso for what, as even Adrian himself says, is a “rare as hen’s teeth event”. A wonderful combination of technical wizardry, tunefulness and quick wit, the wisdom he can share as a player is surely something all players can learn from. “We should practise slowly and privately,” he told Riffjournal.com this year. “We shouldn’t show off until we have a whole story to tell, then we should tell it courteously and accurately, with feeling.” For tickets, visit www.wegottickets.com www.adrianlegg.com
Sari Schorr & The Engine Room 12 April to 27 May Various UK venues
Before hitting the road, Sari has already been recording the follow-up to last year’s A Force Of Nature album in Guitarist’s very own home city of Bath. She’s again working with Innes Sibun (who was featured in issue 417), who will be hitting the road with her for this tour, too. www.sarischorr.com
Dream Theater 18 to 23 April Various UK venues
The band’s second album, Images And Words, is still rightly regarded as a landmark record in progressive metal, and this tour will celebrate its legacy an incredible 25 years on. John Petrucci and co will play the album in its entirety and a set of other fan favourites, too. www.dreamtheater.net
The Bristol Guitar Show 30 April Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
Among the 100-plus exhibitor tables at this year’s show at Bristol City’s FC, you’ll find Supro, Blackstar, Hughes & Kettner, Joyo, BluGuitar and FretKing. Guitar Techniques contributor Stuart Ryan will also perform and host a workshop. Admission is £7 and accompanied under-12s are free. www.guitarshowsuk.co.uk
Nick McCabe / Lucem Guitars 4 May Dawson’s Music, Manchester
Dawsons Music will be hosting a special evening with The Verve/ Black Submarine guitarist with a detailed demonstration of the new Paradox Custom (see p18), looping masterclass and Q&A with Lucem master luthier Graham Skimming. www.dawsons.co.uk
Simple Minds Acoustic 17 May to 8 June Various UK and Ireland dates
“We agonised over this, doing songs that had been done before, but we really deconstructed them, creating versions of these songs that were genuinely different,” says Charlie Burchill of the band’s Acoustic album. They now take it to the live stage with this extensive tour. www.simpleminds.com
Wirral Folk Festival 1 to 4 June The Whitby Club & Grounds
The 13th year of the festival should be lucky for those attending with Lindisfarne and Martin & Eliza Carthy heading a bill, plus Paul Garthwaite, who was featured in our Guitarist Presents Acoustic quarterly, talking about his 22-string guitar designed with Hugh and Andy Manson. www.wirralfolkonthecoast.com
Eddie Vedder 6 to 11 June UK and Ireland venues
Following Pearl Jam’s recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this month, their frontman plays his first shows in England in nearly five years with two shows at the London Eventim Apollo (6 and 7) and Ireland stops in Dublin and Cork (9 and 11). Glen Hansard supports. www.pearljam.com
Woody Mann Weekend Guitar Retreat 23 to 25 June Old Hall Hotel, Buxton
Held in the Peak District, the focus of this weekend will be on ‘Fingerstyle Blues Roots & Beyond’, developing a ‘toolbox’ of ideas through studying a repertoire of tunes from artists including Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Blake and Woody himself. www.woodymann.com