The Lineup
All the best guitar events you need to put in the diary...
Alter Bridge 14 to 21 December
Various UK arenas
Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy have come a long way since their band’s formation 15 years ago. Now headlining arenas in the UK (including London’s O2 Arena again on this run), their guitar dynamic continues to evolve on sixth album, Walk The Sky. Tremonti is a player who’s eager to learn from other guitarists, but his pre-show warm-up remains resolute. “Nothing gets you warmed up quicker than some improvisation,” he explains. “I find backing tracks help me stay loose. What you should not do is sit down with the metronome and keep ripping through the same technical lick. Instead, focus on your bending, vibrato and the rest of your phrasing. Start out in a box and then look for ways to stretch your pinky out to get those wider intervals, which can sound more exotic.” www.alterbridge.com
Buck & Evans 15 November to 12 December
Various UK venues
Following bad fortunes with PledgeMusic’s collapse delaying their album, things are back on track for Chris Buck and the band with debut album, Write A Better Day, out now on Departure Records. This tour will provide further showcase of a superb young guitar-playing talent. www.buckandevans.com
Laurence Jones Band 22 November to 13 December
Various UK venues
September’s self-titled album as the Laurence Jones Band was a landmark for the bluesman, with a bolder 70s influence on I’m Waiting with its Deep Purple dynamics. It also finds Jones stepping up vocally – clearly taking notes from Glenn Hughes when he supported him in May. www.laurencejonesmusic.com
Mike Stern/Jeff Lorber Fusion Band 22 November 229, London
The duo released their album, Eleven, earlier this year and are joined on stage by drummer Dennis Chambers, and Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip, who also co-produced the album with Lorber. A must-see show for fans of jazz-fusion. www.mikestern.org
Ben Ottewell 26 November to 6 December
Various UK venues
Between album anniversary tours with Gomez, Ottewell goes acoustically solo as a gifted performer who still remains strangely underrated. He stretches beyond blues clichés with Americana and British-folk-infused playing to create powerful intimate atmospheres. You might get some Gomez tunes, too. www.facebook.com/the.ben.ottewell
Ride 29 November to 12 December
Various UK venues
Ride released This Is Not A Safe Place in August this year, their second album since reforming in 2014. Guitarists/vocalists Andy Bell and Mark Gardener balance evolution with a celebration of the dreamy shoegaze pop that the band helped spearhead, and, in the process, proved that reunions don’t have to be legacy-act cash-grabs. www.thebandride.com
Idles 2 to 7 December
Various UK venues
Of all the British guitar bands, 2019 has been Idles’ year, and this five-date UK run with two shows in Glasgow before Manchester, Leeds and a finale at London’s Alexandra Palace should feel like a victory parade for fans, if not the Bristol five-piece themselves. www.idlesband.com
Ralph McTell 13 December
Royal Festival Hall
Ralph’s reunion with his 70s producer Tony Visconti on new studio album, Hill Of Beans, is a reminder of what a folk national treasure he is – now in his sixth decade as an artist. This latest album will be showcased at London’s at Royal Festival Hall, alongside old classics on this, his last gig of the year. www.ralphmctell.co.uk
Cory Wong 20 to 23 February
Various UK venues
After the success of his UK solo tour earlier this year, the Vulfpeck and Fearless Flyers rhythm king is back for more. Apart from being a walking masterclass in funk playing, guitarist Wong is also a hugely entertaining MC, with an acute understanding that playing guitar is supposed to be mostly fun. www.corywongmusic.com