Last week we gave you 10 good reasons not to miss the Melbourne Guitar Show, August 6 & 7 at the Caulfield Racecourse, presented by Triple M and Australian Musician. Here’s 10 more!
SHANNON BOURNE’S WHIRLYBIRD
The starting point might be a single note lick or a chunky chord. The destination could be anywhere but we can promise that this free-form improvisation trio will take you on an intriguing sonic journey. Witness this band’s debut performance, led by free-thinking guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, session musician, one of the most respected blues and roots players in the country, Shannon Bourne. Joining Shannon are seasoned musicians Luke Hodgson (Andy Bull, Megan Washington) on bass and Leigh Fisher (Illy, Gosling, M-Phases, The Veronicas). Saturday August 6th at 11am AON Forecourt Stage
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT
Bring the kids. Not only can you marvel at the amazing range of gear on display but the kids too will be inspired by the performances, entry-level gear on offer and the informative workshops. Take them for a Professor Guitar or Professor Bass lesson. The ukulele session on Sunday morning will have you and the kids playing a uke in just 20 minutes. Buy a family (4 people) weekend pass now online for just $45. Buy them a guitar show t-shirt, get them some autographs and make it a weekend they’ll never forget. Begin their life-long musical journey at the Melbourne Guitar Show.
MATON MUSEUM
Visitors to the Melbourne Guitar Show this year will have the opportunity to view Australian Guitar making history on the Maton Stand. A selection of incredibly rare Maton guitars will be on display including the very first Maton ever made in 1946 by Bill May, the founder of Maton Guitars. Chosen from the companies rich 70 year history, the instruments offer an insight into the constantly evolving craft of guitar making, and tell the story of an Australian company that went from a small backyard workshop in the suburbs of Melbourne to a globally recognised brand. Upstairs Acoustic Level. Stand A11
TEQUILA MOCKINGBYRD
Tequila Mockingbyrd have already conquered the sweaty rock ‘n’ roll clubs of Melbourne. They’ve performed in the harsh desert of the Middle East for our troops and they’re about to rock the UK and Europe. Before they go, this all-female powerhouse rock trio will blow the main stage away with their punchy, high energy anthems. Catch them now before you need an arena-size venue ticket to see them. Sunday August 7th 2pm AON Forecourt Stage
ALL KINDS OF ACOUSTIC
With such a powerful lineup of electric guitar acts downstairs at this year’s Melbourne Guitar Show, take the time to give your ears a rest and head upstairs to the two dedicated Acoustic guitar stages. On the AON Mezzanine Stage and Exclusively Acoustic Stage, you’ll discover a wide range of acoustic guitar styles. From the delicate touch of internationally renowned performer Daniel Champagne, to Sergio Ercole’s European flavoured classical stylings and Lucas Michailidis’ fingerstyle magic. You can catch them all together along with Jon Delaney and Matthew Fagan in Nick Charles’ second Guitar Players Session for the weekend. If that’s not enough, there’s also Justin Bernasconi playing tunes from his wonderful new album Winterpick, as well as Jamie Pye’s alternate picking skills and the fierce licks and gut-wrenching vocals of gentle giant Mike Elrington.
DALLAS FRASCA
Getting close to clocking up a thousand gigs, including 7 international tours, Dallas Frasca is fast becoming one of Australia’s most exciting and revered bands. Swagger, alt-pop, power and rock, two guitars, a beast behind the kit, and a mighty presence at the mic. Dallas Frasca is all of those things, and more. Sunday August 7th Midday AON Forecourt Stage
GEAR DEMONSTRATIONS
It’s one thing to walk around the aisles and marvel at the tons of guitar-related gear but you might want to know about it in a little more detail. Upstairs in the Winners Circle Workshop Room, you can experience a wide range of informative sessions from guitar experts. There’s Roland/Boss showcasing all of their latest multi-effects systems and WAZA craft pedals, the folks from Peavey running a history of rock n roll through Peavey products, Sherlock Amps demonstrating new amp and pedal product, and Jimi Hocking showing off the new Yamaha Revstar guitars and Vox amp gear. The Maton Custom Shop seminar is back with master luthier Andy Allen, Wireless Audio Pty Ltd extolling the virtues of their state of the art wireless products and Jon Beckx, product specialist for Line 6 with an in depth look at how iconic guitarists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, James Hetfield and John Petrucci created their signature sound.
DEAN RAY
Dean Ray personifies the romance of rock ‘n’ roll. On stage, he’s all about passion. Losing himself in the moment, his one and only goal is to put on a great rock ‘n’ roll show. Conjuring the spirit of rock icons from the past, the perception might be style but the substance lies in his fretboard prowess and ownership of the stage, where he leaves nothing behind. If you haven’t seen Dean Ray perform before, come on down to the Melbourne Guitar Show, you’re in for a treat. Saturday August 6th 2pm AON Forecourt Stage.
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC EXAMINATION BOARD SESSIONS
If you’re a VCE/Tertiary guitar student, you need to be at the AMEB’s Sunday session, when Matthew Fagan and Emilio Kormanic take you through a valuable workshop on sitting exams. Plus in another session, Alyson Locke (lead examiner) and renowned guitarist Simon Gardner will tell you all about the AMEB’s new Rock School syllabus. Sunday August 7th Winners Circle Workshop Room from 11am
DAVID LEE ROTH CLASSICS
Last year James Ryan was part of the unforgettable high energy performance from Paul Gilbert cover band Racer Axe. James Ryan is back at the guitar show in 2016, this time taking on classic David Lee Roth tunes. Ably assisted by Rod Bustos, Marcus Ryan and the voice of Racer Axe Chris Stark, the James Ryan band will be ‘Goin’ Crazy’ covering the songs by the ‘Yankee Rose’. Sunday August 7th 11am AON Forecourt Stage
Melbourne Guitar Show
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August, 2016
Caulfield Racecourse
10am-6pm
Plenty of parking or train station just over the road
Tickets at gate but cheaper if you buy online. Info here