the lineup
All the best guitar events you need to put in the diary...
The UK Guitar Show 21 to 22 September UK Business Design Centre, The Angel, London
Prog maverick Devin Townsend (pictured) has joined bassists Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson, The Mute Gods) and celebrated teacher Ariane Cap on the bill as the first artists announced for our show, which now encompasses the London Bass Guitar Show, too. Devin will perform on the Guitarist stage on the Saturday, and anyone who was lucky enough to catch his sold-out solo acoustic tour earlier this year will know to expect jaw-dropping musicianship alongside plenty of laughs from the Canadian.
Elsewhere at the show, you’ll find our Vintage Zone, which will feature some mouth-watering originals from the Seven Decades show. We’ll be announcing even more additions in our next issue and on our social media channels – so watch this space. www.ukguitarshow.com
Black Sabbath – 50 Years Until 29 September Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
The city’s heaviest sons are honoured in this exhibition, as part of the Home Of Metal project, featuring personal items and memorabilia – including Tony Iommi’s home studio and Ozzy Osbourne’s crucifix. Sabbath’s clergy of fans have also sent in more than 3,000 photos to be displayed. https://homeofmetal.com
Nile Rodgers’ Meltdown 3 to 11 August Southbank Centre, London
Last year saw The Cure’s Robert Smith curate this experience and now it’s Nile Rodgers’ turn – Johnny Marr is included in the acts with a show on 8 August. “In curating Meltdown, I’m effectively creating my own live concert playlist of my favourite artists, new and old,” says Rodgers. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Pixies 13 to 26 September Various UK and Ireland venues
In addition to a traditional tour in support of their seventh studio album, Beneath The Eyrie (set for release on 13 September), the band will have recorded a 12-episode podcast series, with British journalist Tony Fletcher given access all areas to the band in the studio for It’s A Pixies Podcast. You can catch the first couple of episodes now. www.pixiesmusic.com
Muse 14 to 17 September London O2 & Birmingham Arena
After a triumphant Simulation Theory UK stadium tour in June, Matt Bellamy is certainly staying busy – buying a majority share in Manson Guitar Works (see The Players, opposite) and returning for three more supermassive gigs, two of them at London’s O2 Arena. www.muse.mu
Martin Harley 1 to 19 October Various UK venues
After a run of successful solo and duo shows with bass player extraordinaire Daniel Kimbro earlier in the year, Martin Harley is now changing tack with a full-band record and tour for October. He’s clearly raring to go, having debuted six new songs with the line-up at Kent’s Black Deer Festival last month. www.martinharley.com
John Mayer 13 to 18 October London, Dublin, Manchester
John Mayer’s world tour has found him playing lengthy setlists that vary night to night and cover his entire 20-year solo career so far – so, as part of the European leg of the tour, you might just be getting two very different shows during his two-night stand at London’s O2 Arena on 13 and 14 October… www.johnmayer.com
Rival Sons 2 to 7 November Various UK venues
The Californians always deliver the goods live, winning hearts and minds over to their cause. Scott Holiday isn’t nicknamed ‘Mr Fuzzlord’ for nothing, and singer Jay Buchanan is one of the most powerful voices to emerge in rock during the last 10 years. Don’t miss them. www.rivalsons.com
Laurence Jones 22 November to 13 December Various UK venues
The first taste of September’s selftitled album as the Laurence Jones Band suggests a bold change of pace. The track I’m Waiting is dripping in Deep Purple dynamics and sees Jones stepping up a gear vocally. The guitarist was clearly taking notes from Glenn Hughes when he supported him in May. www.laurencejonesmusic.com