London Guitar Festival, 14-16 May.

Celebrate the world’s most versatile instrument in the heart of the capital. Sandwiched between the National Film Theatre and the London Eye, the Southbank Centre is Europe’s number one arts centre.

Join us for a amazing line-up of artists in performance, workshop and masterclass. Visit the Southbank centre website for tickets www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Booking line opens 16 February.

14 May

Royal Festival Hall

7.30: José González

José González is a rare modern phenomenon. Since his critically adored album Veneer reached the UK Top Ten he has experienced record-breaking international success, a shower of much-deserved awards and acclaim for his latest album In Our Nature....More

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15 May

Purcell Room

11am-12:30pm Trinity Guildhall: Guitar Syllabus Presentation and Orchestra for Everyone
An open invitation to guitarists of all levels to find out more about Trinity Guildhall exams and to take part in the UK’s largest guitar ensemble.... More

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15 May

Purcell Room

3pm: Tom Kerstens with the Utrecht String Quartet

Artistic Director Tom Kerstens and the Utrecht String Quartet perform two pieces for guitar and string quartet: Léo Brouwer’s wonderful Guitar Quintet and  ‘Over the Water’ by leading Dutch composer Willem Wander van Nieuwkerk.... More

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15 May

Purcell Room

5pm: Andrea Vettoretti (Italy)

Andrea Vettoretti is considered one of the most important guitarists in Europe. He has won many prestigious international competitions and has toured the world receiving unanimous ovation....More

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15 May

Purcell Room

7.45pm: Chris Wood
Chris Wood is an uncompromising writer whose music reveals his love for the un-official history of the English-speaking people, gently weaving this tradition into his own contemporary parables....More

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15 May

Queen Elizabeth Hall

7.30pm: Gerardo Nuñez & Carmen Cortés Quintet

Delivering a show of electrifying rhythmic drive and stunning emotional power, Gerardo Núñez is the foremost flamenco guitarist on the planet today....More

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16 May

Purcell Room

16 May

1pm: concert: Amanda Cook

Amanda Cook is one of the leading young guitarists of her generation, having performed and recorded internationally to universal acclaim....More

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16 May

Purcell Room

3pm: concert: Duo Cuenca (Spanish guitar & piano)

José Manuel and Francisco Cuenca Morales make up the effervescent Duo Cuenca, an exquisite Spanish piano and guitar duo who are considered among the finest in the world today....More

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16 May

Purcell Room

5pm: concert: Philippe Villa (France)

Philippe Villa is considered one of the finest French guitarists of his generation, and is a specialist of the Romantic repertory, playing both historic and modern instruments....More

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16 May

Purcell Room

7.45pm: Amit Chatterjee

Amit Chatterjee is an astounding guitarist, sitarist, composer and vocalist. Known for a sensitive yet passionate approach in his instrumental and vocal artistry, Amit brings a unique, international flavour to his compositions....More

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16 May

Queen Elizabeth Hall

7.30pm: Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

Celebrating their twenty-seventh year on the concert stage, the members of the GRAMMY-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet continue to set the standard for expression and virtuosity among guitar ensembles, while perennially redefining themselves in their musical explorations....More

Workshops

15 May

Level 3 Function Room

11.00am: Acoustic Echoes with Richard Perkins

This fun and intensive workshop looks at the acoustic guitar as an accompaniment to the voice, focusing on acoustic artists such as Jose Gonzalez, Jeff Buckley, David Gray and Fleet Foxes. The workshop explores strumming, finger picking and altered tunings.

15 May

Level 3 Function Room

2.00pm: Hand Made Song Workshop with Chris Wood

Song writing can be a deeply personal process built on passion and the desire to share emotions and thoughts with others. Join Chris in this special songwriting workshop where you are invited to express yourself. Be edgy, emotional, political... but above all tell a story.

16 May

Level 3 Function Room

11am: Jimi Hendrix with Lick Library

Forty years since his death, this workshop explores the unique elements to Hendrix's style that remains unsurpassed to this day. Highly respected guitar tutor Stuart Bull leads the class focusing on the songs, solos and licks by one of the greatest guitarist in the history of rock music. SOLD OUT

16 May

Level 3 Function Room

2.00pm: Riffomania

Come and see Rockschool's James Uings reveal the top ten guitar riffs of all time in this exciting, interactive workshop session. James shows how these killer riffs are played as well as giving tips and advice on how to build riffing skills for today's guitarists.

Open to anyone with a guitar and an open mind.

16 May

Queen Elizabeth Hall

2.00pm: Audience with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

Journalist and musician Guy Traviss talks to the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet about their long and distinguished career. Followed by a masterclass for advanced players and observers.

tickets @ www.southbankcentre.co.uk