American guitarist Larry Mitchell is set to return to Australia for the Sydney Guitar Show (March 7 & 8, Sydney Showgrounds), bringing with him a mix of technical mastery, musical curiosity, and a long-standing affection for local audiences. Speaking with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips, Mitchell reflected on his recent appearance at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, where he caught up with industry friends, explored new gear, and continued a 13-year tradition of performing with his trio in the Marriott lobby. For Sydney, he expects to perform solo while leaving space for spontaneous jams, something he says is an essential part of the
guitar show atmosphere.
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW
Mitchell, who has visited Australia regularly since 2019, is particularly excited to experience Sydney for the first time and reconnect with musicians he has met through tours and camps. He singled out his admiration for Hussy Hicks and expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of informal collaborations during the event. His live setup will centre on his signature Knaggs Guitars semi-hollow model, a guitar he describes as combining vintage character with modern playability, paired with a Fractal rig, looping tools, and a handful of pedals, reflecting his practical philosophy that tone is about using the right tool for the moment rather than adhering to purist ideals.
That openness extends to his music itself. Mitchell has built a career moving comfortably between rock, funk, ambient soundscapes, world music, and meditative compositions, a diversity rooted in early influences that ranged from Elvis Presley and classic R&B to Prince and Van Halen. Alongside performing, he remains an in-demand producer, currently working with a variety of singer-songwriters while slowly shaping ideas for his next solo release, his first since the 2020 albums The Light Within and Shadows in the Soul. His approach in the studio, he explained, is to identify and highlight an artist’s natural strengths rather than trying to fix weaknesses mid-recording, a philosophy that mirrors his broader belief in serving the music above all else.
Looking back on his career, Mitchell recalled touring with Tracy Chapman, praising her remarkable precision and consistency, and spoke about the inspiration he draws from collaborative environments such as guitar camps, where sharing the stage with players like Tommy Emmanuel creates memorable musical exchanges. While his dream collaborations would include touring with artists such as Tori Amos or Peter Gabriel, his immediate focus is on building stronger touring chemistry in Australia and New Zealand and embracing the spontaneous energy of live performance. At the Sydney Guitar Show, he says, the simple goal is to explore the city, connect with fellow players, discover new sounds, and let the music unfold naturally in the moment.
MORE ABOUT THE SYDNEY GUITAR SHOW
The Sydney Guitar Show will spread its wings at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March, with two super-sized days of guitar gear, performances, workshops and experiences. Since its inception in 2015, the Melbourne Guitar Show has become a mecca for guitar-lovers, a flagship gathering for the industry, and a totally unique experience. This year’s Sydney event brings the same sights, sounds and excitement to Sydney for the first time. An extensive celebration of the versatility and endless possibility of the world’s most popular instrument, this all ages, all levels event is guaranteed to inspire and delight axe-slingers from all walks of life. And today, the full 2026 program for the Sydney Guitar Show has arrived, featuring performances, workshops and conversations with some of country’s most exciting and innovative guitarists, including Diesel, Plini, Hussy Hicks, Tash Wolf, as well as international guest Larry Mitchell (US).
The multi-purpose and expansive Sydney Showground Hall 5 at Olympic Park offers easy access to public transport, parking, accessibility from all parts of the city, and the perfect meeting place to check out over 120 brands, performance and workshop stages, interactive displays and other surprises.