What’s Goin’ On
All the best guitar events happening over the next few weeks, in one place
Myles Kennedy 17 to 27 March Various UK venues
The Alter Bridge frontman and Slash collaborator is used to playing arenas on UK visits, but for the beginning of his solo journey he’s going low key with small venues and acoustic performances. While the bluesy roots of new album Year Of The Tiger was shaped by a Duane Eddy Gretsch and a brace of vintage acoustics, including a 1945 J-45, he’ll bring more contemporary Taylors, PRSs and his National resonator to the tour. The latter choice is inspired by one of Kennedy’s blues heros. “I discovered the instrument through Chris Whitley,” he says. “I listened to Dirt Floor over the years so much, I think that approach manifested itself on a handful of tracks on this record. To me it’s an aggressive-sounding instrument, which I like.” www.myleskennedy.com
Turin Breaks 8 to 31 March Various UK venues
The four-piece heads out in support of January’s Invisible Storm album. “It’s probably the most upbeat, snappy thing we’ve done in a long time!” says guitarist Gale Paridjanian. “We wanted to keep it a bit faster, but lyrically there’s always a bit of darkness in there.” turinbrakes.com
Teenage Cancer Trust 2018 19 to 25 March Royal Albert Hall
The 18th year of the annual residency at the Albert Hall in aid of the British charity will see seven nights of performances with potential highlights from patron Roger Daltrey and guests (22 March), Nile Rodgers & Chic (21 March) and Def Leppard on the final night. www.teenagecancertrust.org
Michael Lee Firkins 7 to 9 April Halifax, Leicester and London
Fans of the blues, country and southern boogie man will definitely want to catch these dates – plus the guitarist will be selling exclusive releases on CD and vinyl, which will only be available at his live shows, including new blues EP, Knock On Wood. www.michaelleefirkins.com
HRH Blues 14 to 15 April 02 Academy, Sheffield
The two-day blues festival returns with Bernie Marsden and King King headlining. Danny Bryant will also appear – his new album Revelation follows on 20 April so expect new material to be aired. The Pat McManus Band, Stevie Nimmo, Sari Schorr and Ben Poole also feature. www.hrhblues.com
The White Buffalo 15 to 21 April Various UK venues
Jake Smith’s return to the UK sees him playing O2 Academy venues – a clear indication word is getting around about his oldschool country songcraft. Expect dark tales, bruised and scarred love songs, bar-room singalongs and the sound of Smith’s Taylor 714CE being driven hard. www.thewhitebuffalo.com
Manic Street Preachers 23 April to 5 May Various UK venues
The Welsh trio returns with 13th album, Resistance Is Futile, on 6 April, after an unusually long four-year gap between records. The lucky news for fans is the band have strived to fuse the guitar energy of their early days with the majestic scale of fourth album, Everything Must Go. www.manicstreetpreachers.com
The Holy Grail Guitar Show 5 to 6 May Berlin
The yearly guitar show was founded by the European Guitar Builders Association (EGB) to showcase the fine work of selected luthiers from around the world. Players will have the chance to meet them and find out more about what handmade guitars can offer. www.holygrailguitarshow.com
Woody Mann’s Weekend Guitar Retreat 22 to 24 June Buxton
Woody’s workshop returns with the theme of ‘Country Blues Roots & Beyond’. Drawing on the style of the the early blues pioneers, students will learn a toolbox of techniques over the weekend. www.woodymann.com