The Lineup
All the best guitar events you need to put in the diary...
Buck & Evans 16 February to 14 March
Various UK and Ireland venues
Last year ended with Chris Buck being voted the top blues guitarist of 2019 by MusicRadar readers, seeing him rise above the likes of Bonamassa and Gales. This achievement proves how much his emotive playing is connecting but also that listeners are open-minded to new talent and want to see it recognised. The blues is a hard nut to crack, with harder critics, and Buck is wary of being tagged as a bluesman. But his feel is so undeniably part of a lineage.
“Utterly surreal, if I’m honest,” is Buck’s reaction to it all. “Just to be nominated was a shock, but the prospect of winning genuinely hadn’t even crossed my mind. The idea of ranking your favourite musicians will always feel a little alien to me, but seeing my name in such esteemed company isn’t something I’ll ever complain about!” www.buckandevans.com
The Story Of Guitar Heroes Throughout 2020
Various UK venues
A celebration of the finest moments of guitar history, The Story Of Guitar Heroes is a tribute including performances of songs by Brian May, Hank Marvin, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Page, Slash, Clapton and more. The show uses over 30 guitars to deliver tonal authenticity, too. www.storyofguitarheroes.com
Robbie McIntosh 13 February
Eel Pie Club, Twickenham
A chance to see a players’ player in an intimate setting. McIntosh became an in-demand session player and sideman in his post-Pretenders career, touring alongside Paul McCartney and John Mayer as well as his own Robbie McIntosh Band. He’ll be joined for this gig by former Dire Straits man Guy Fletcher. www.robbiemcintosh.co.uk
The Guitar Show 29 February to 1 March
New Bingley Hall, Birmingham
Alongside our own UK Guitar Show, this is the other must-visit UK guitar event of the year and will see Bernard Butler, Aynsley Lister, Rabea Massaad, That Pedal Show Live and a host of exhibitors including ESP, Victory, Ibanez, Boss, Taylor, Yamaha, Blackstar and Laney. www.theguitarshow.co.uk
John Williams 17 March
Ronnie Scott’s, London
This special show at the legendary venue finds the classical maestro on a bill alongside John Etheridge and Gary Ryan for what is guaranteed to be an unforgettable evening. Last year’s Vivaldi, Etc! found Williams tackling more of his favourite classical pieces including Bach, Weiss and Turlough O’Carolan. www.johnwilliamsguitarnotes.com
Miloš Karadaglic 2 April
Cadogan Hall, London
The London-based Montenegrin classical guitarist had to take things slowly a couple of years ago as he recovered from a hand injury, but latest album, Sound Of Silence, finds him back in full force, reinterpreting the songs of Portishead, Radiohead and Leonard Cohen to bring classical guitar to more ears. www.milosguitar.com
Bauhaus 8 April
Alexandra Palace, London
The Hollywood Palladium reunion with all four original members together on stage for the first time in 13 years took place in November last year, but UK fans need to be more patient. The band’s return is all the more surprising considering frontman Pete Murphy suffered a heart attack in 2019. www.petermurphy.info
Joe Satriani 22 to 28 May
Various UK venues
Satriani is readying the follow-up to 2018’s What Happens Next to coincide with this run – dubbed The Shapeshifting Tour. It kicks off in Bexhill before moving on to Glasgow, Gateshead, Manchester, London and Birmingham. He’ll be joined by Bryan Beller (bass), Kenny Aronoff (drums) and Rai Thistlethwayte (keyboards). www.satriani.com
Peter Frampton 24 to 31 May
Various UK venues
This will be Frampton’s farewell tour as the guitarist looks to retirement from touring due to the diagnosis of inclusion body myositis, a disease that leads to muscle weakness and inflammation. Last year he released All Blues, his first blues album with the Peter Frampton Band, featuring artists including Sonny Landreth. www.frampton.com