Sheffield band, Little Man Tate _320
THE 20th International Guitar Festival is now under way, with organisers marking the milestone with a new worldwide ambassador scheme to get the greatest guitar players on the planet promoting the annual event.
From established guitar heroes such as John Etheridge to up-and-coming talents such as Little Man Tate, the music festival is taking place over a number of venues including Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead Town Hall, Birkenhead Priory and the Williamson Art Gallery.
To celebrate the 20th birthday year, a small number of festival players have been invited to act as honorary ambassadors from all five continents to reflect the broad international aspect of the festival.
They are blues guitarist Woody Mann (USA), classical guitarist John Williams (Australia), jazz guitarist John Etheridge (UK/Europe), classical/flamenco guitarist Galina Vale (Ukraine/Eastern Europe), and Lucky Ranku (South Africa).
This year the festival has been part funded by the Culture Company and this has helped the event break out with a programme that has staged concerts throughout the year rather than just its annual November slot.
Festival director Rob Smith said: “We have always been a world-class festival and this year our festival ambassadors will highlight our international links and close relationship with these singular musicians.
“The festival will also hold many UK premieres and new compositions performed by the very finest players.”
Etheridge said: “It’s such an honour to be included in this pantheon over the last few years, and my own experiences have been totally positive. I am sure that another 20 years beckons.”
Highlights still to come include an ambassador performance from Galina Vale tonight, Martin Carthy on Thursday and the John Goldie Band on Friday.
Over the weekend there will be guitar workshops and gigs from Woody Mann and Martin Taylor and Andreas Oberg, and on Monday Phil Cool appears with Steeleye Span guitarist Ken Nichol.
