Report: Greg Phillips. Photos: Jason Rosewarne and David Harris
The Melbourne Guitar Show has traditionally been a great catch up opportunity for our local musician community. Plus punters coming to show not only get to see some of our finest guitarists playing live on stage and speaking at informative sessions but they also get the unique chance to catch them in the aisles, at the food vans and other spots around the venue and get to pick their brains and say g’day.
The 2025 Melbourne Guitar Show provided three venues to witness a performance or session, the main stage, the Make Music room and the Fender Experience room. Again, as per our Gear wrap up, we couldn’t get to every single performance or session but we gave it a good try.
SATURDAY
Kathleen Halloran opened the show on the Main stage with a riveting solo acoustic set. Kathleen’s career has gone from strength to strength since first appearing in the Melbourne Guitar Show jam back in 2019. Her stage presence and guitar skills have skyrocketed over the last couple of years and she’s quite an evocative singer now too.
Richard Tedesco followed with an impressive set consisting of his intricate rhythms of the flamenco guitar which kept the audience mesmerised.
Next up it was Australian Musician’s time to celebrate 30 years since it was first published in 1995 with a very special up close and personal chat between Paul Dempsey and myself editor self. Paul opened up about the early days of Something For Kate, his solo experiences and the creation of his latest project Fanning Dempsey National Park. Of great interest to the packed house in attendance were his recollections of touring with David Bowie. Of course we then chatted guitars and amps before I left Paul alone on stage to perform 3 incredible songs.
Rock Academy followed and showed that the future of Australian Music is in good hands. The young artists performing were not only musically talented but their poise and stage presence was on a level way beyond their years.
We popped into the main stage for a quick look at the Ultimate Tone Challenge featuring Phil Ceberano, Marcel, Yammouni and Brett Kingman. The guys were chatting about Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Clapton, The Kinks and so much more and tracing back to those who’d come before, exploring the classic artists’ tones and tunes.
Closing out the day one main stage was Australian Musician’s musician of the month for February Dallas Frasca playing tunes from her fabulous new album Force of Nature. We’ve been speaking to Dallas a lot about her huge stage sound and on this day, the dynamic artist showed everyone what powerful performances are all about.
While much of the focus of the day had been on the Main Stage area, punters could also enjoy several informative sessions in the Make Music Room, a new feature for the Melbourne Guitar Show. The Make Music Room provided a platform for dispensing vital information for emerging artists throughout the entire weekend. Sessions included; Digital Modelling tricks, songwriting workshops, guitar maintenance, blues guitar workshops and more.
Fender this year had their own area outside of the main building which they named The Fender Experience. As mentioned in our gear wrap up, Gabor from Thesuperfunawesomehappytime pedal show, Mitch Power and Leon Todd presented priceless sessions, before emerging artist Cassidy Paris took to the stage with her father Stevie to lay some modern pop/rock upon us. We also had a chance to chat with Cassidy and Stevie. Link HERE
Liam Brown aka Shirtless is the long time bassist for Pop/ Dance sensation Client Liaison and Fender Experience attendees were taken down the dance music rabbit hole with a vibrant session from Liam.
Finishing up the day in the Fender room was the great Scott Darlow, laying down his fierce brand of earthy rock. We also caught up with Scott Darlow for a quick chat. WATCH HERE
SUNDAY
While the Saturday was traditionally the busiest day of the MGS weekend, it seems that in 2025 punters preferred a Sunday outing as the venue was absolutely packed. Three piece outfit CB3 kicked off the day with their their funky brand of jazz, RnB and neo-soul.
Kathleen Halloran was back again, this time with her Triple Fret show featuring Jimi Hocking and Phil Ceberano. While the day before Kathleen showed us her acoustic guitar prowess, on Sunday she slung on the Strat and rocked out with Jimi and Phil. I’m loving her version of Blind Faith’s Can’t Find My Way Home, it’s really become her signature tune. Phil’s spin on Prince’s Purple Rain was well received too.
Leon Todd had to follow that extraordinary performance but gave us great advice about using the ‘Right Gear for the Gig’. His words of wisdom made a lot of sense.
Pocket rocket Minnie Marks was up next and I was amazed by how much her sound has developed. Using an old Goldtop in her hands and a revolutionary Farmer Foot Drum at her feet, the sound coming off the stage was massive.
Sydney’s Paul Mason came down south to perform his acclaimed show In Honour of Jeff Beck, featuring an all star band which included guitar legend Brett Garsed, Gerry Pantazis on drums, Tim Curnick on bass and Mike Pensini on keyboards. Mason and band ran the gamut of Beck’s catalogue with faves being Cos We’ve Ended as Lovers and Pork Pie Hat. We caught up with Paul on the weekend too. Watch our interview HERE
Around the corner in the Fender room, Leon Todd, Mitch Power and Liam Brown were doing their thing before Dallas Crane took to the stage and ripped the room apart with their punchy rock n roll, featuring newest member Tommy Boyce, guitarist from The Casanovas. In their short but oh, so sweet set, the band played a spirited version of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock n Roll’, as well as their latest single ‘Sycamore Street. We also caught up with Dallas Crane frontman Dave Larkin for a chat prior to their performance. Watch it HERE
All in all, the 2025 Melbourne Guitar Show seemed to be a successful return to the annual music event calendar, proving that “if you build it, people will come!” Congratulations to the Australian Music Association, Alex Masso, Shannon Sullivan, Emma Bienvenue and the rest of the team on a great effort. I’m sure punters will welcome the Melbourne Guitar Show back again next year.
www.melbourneguitarshow.com.au
