MEDIA RELEASE:: MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW RETURNS TO CAULFIELD RACECOURSE ON AUGUST 5 & 6 FEATURING INTERNATIONAL GUITAR LEGENDS STEVE HACKETT (GENESIS), NICK JOHNSTON, ALEX HUTCHINGS AND MORE #MGS2017
It was big in 2015, huge in 2016, and today the Australian Music Association has announced the 2017 return of the Melbourne Guitar Show to rock Caulfield Racecourse on August 5 and 6 – and this year, it’ll be bigger than ever. Proudly presented by Triple M and Australian Musician, the line-up boasts not only an incredible haul of local guitarists, but also massive international artists – UK’s legendary Steve Hackett (Genesis), Canada’s renowned Nick Johnston and UK superstar Alex Hutchings. In addition to some killer performances, MGS will also hold a monster exhibition that will feature a gigantic variety of electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps and more state-of-the-art guitar technology, both home-grown and from around the world. It will continue to be Australia’s biggest guitar pop-up shop…and that’s not all. In addition to this, the Melbourne Guitar Show will host information seminars, demonstrations, and live performances from Australia’s most talented guitarists, including: Lloyd Spiegel, Nick Charles and Bob Spencer with many more to be announced.
This year will be extra special as the Melbourne Guitar Show welcomes UK guitar royalty, namely, the original Genesis guitarist and successful solo artist in his own right, Steve Hackett, in a very special premium ticketed event. Hackett will be touring Australia for the very first time with his lavish Genesis Revisited tour, playing classic Genesis prog-rock tunes as well as selected material from his 25 solo albums. For the Melbourne Guitar Show however, in a more eclectic and informal setting, Steve will play an exclusive up close and personal acoustic-based show featuring musical director Roger King on keyboards and woodwind/ brass virtuoso Rob Townshend. This will be the only Australian performance by the Steve Hackett Acoustic Trio.
Genesis, only ever made it to Australia once, in 1986 – years after Steve and singer Peter Gabriel left the band, so Steve is making it up to fans by bringing some Genesis magic to our shores. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for long serving Genesis fans and aficionados of 70s prog-rock. Steve will also participate in an onstage Q&A session following his guitar show performance. Excited about the upcoming tour, Steve says, “I’m thrilled to bring my Genesis Revisited tour to Australia. I’ll be playing there for the first time and I’m hugely looking forward to it! It’ll be great to meet fans and friends, and I know it’s an incredibly beautiful country. I can’t wait!”
Another star joining the stacked line-up is the Canadian guitar virtuoso Nick Johnston. Known for his catchy, melody-driven instrumental music Nick has been able to carve out his own unique style within a crowded landscape of instrumental guitarists. Nick’s playing has attracted sponsorship from massive international brands including Friedman Amps, D’Addario and Schecter Guitars. Also on board this year, we welcome world-renowned guitarist Alex Hutchings (UK), a modern fusion guitarist par extraordinaire, lauded by many as one of the finest players in the genre. His international following has exploded in recent years thanks to millions of YouTube views via both his own channel and JamTrackCentral (alongside such contemporaries such as Guthrie Govan, Andy James and Jack Thammerat). Regularly touring around the globe, Alex performs under his own name and as an international demonstrator for BOSS/Roland.
Drawing over 5,500 guitar lovers and enthusiasts to last year’s exhibit, the Melbourne Guitar Show is gearing up for the biggest event yet. The voice of the Australian music products industry, the Australian Music Association (AMA) will be teaming up with Australianmusician.com.au and presenting sponsors Triple M and Aon to present this year’s guitar-centric weekend. “We are looking forward to a show this year that builds steadily based on the merit and popularity of the first two and on the presentation of the best people we can find”, says AMA executive officer and MGS organiser, Rob Walker. Not only will the 2017 MGS provide a hands-on chance to see, hear and play a broad range of the world’s favourite brands, it will also see exhibitors offering great show deals, plus an opportunity to get close to some hand-crafted, locally made instruments and epic guitar and gear collections. Describing the exciting developments, Rob continues, “We will have more exhibitors this year, as well as bigger stand presentations by many brands. We are in discussions with an increasing list of players who want to be a part of it, so we are sure this show will provide great value for guitar enthusiasts once again.”
The first artist line up announcement includes: Steve Hackett (UK), Nick Johnston (Canada), Alex Hutchings (UK), Lloyd Spiegel, Nick Charles, Bob Spencer, Shannon Bourne, Lloyd Spiegel, James Ryan and many more to be announced over the coming weeks.
The Melbourne Guitar Show will be held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 5 and 6.
Tickets are on sale from June 1, 2017.
Online ticket prices when pre-ordered:: Adult day pass $20, adult weekend pass $30, family day pass $35, concession day pass $10, concession weekend pass $15, premium ticket** $40
**Premium tickets include admission to Steve Hackett show – limited tickets available
MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW DETAILS
SATURDAY AUG 5 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE |10.00am – 6.00pm
SUNDAY AUG 6 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE | 10.00am – 6.00pm
#MGS2017
MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW SET TO MAKE TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO CAULFIELD RACECOURSE ON AUGUST 6 & 7
After a triumphant showcase in 2015, the Australian Music Association has today announced the return of the Melbourne Guitar Show at the Caulfield Racecourse on August 6 and 7. Proudly presented by Triple M and Australian Musician, the monster exhibition will feature an unbeatable variety of electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps & more guitar technology and accessories, and the best in international brands and home-grown craftsmanship. In addition to this, the Melbourne Guitar Show will host information seminars, demonstrations, and live performances from Australia’s most talented guitarists, including legends such as Kevin Borich (The La De Das, John Paul Young) and Phil Manning (Laurie Allen Revue, Chain), and young up and comers such as Daniel Champagne and Dean Ray. Full first round artist announcement line up below.
Drawing almost 5000 guitar lovers to last year’s exhibit, the Melbourne Guitar Show is gearing up for an even bigger event this year. The voice of the Australian music products industry, the Australian Music Association (AMA) will be teaming up with Triple M, Australian Musician, Beat Magazine and Mixdown Magazine to present this year’s guitar-centric weekend. “It had such a great vibe – a really positive event. The exhibitors, the artists and the patrons were all enthusiastic about an incredibly friendly and well attended show,” recalls AMA CEO Rob Walker. “Last year, we had just over 50 exhibitors, including 20 local manufacturers and luthiers. This year we’ll have 70 exhibitors with more stands, and more great products.”
Despite only just entering its second year, the growth of the Melbourne Guitar Show is impressive. Not only will the 2016 MGS provide a hands-on chance to see, hear and play a broad range of the world’s favourite brands, it will also see exhibitors offering great show deals, plus an opportunity to get close to some hand-crafted, locally made instruments and epic guitar and gear collections. Describing the exciting developments, Rob continues, “We’re excited to present a section exclusively for acoustic instruments, so our patrons and exhibitors can see, try and buy acoustic instruments in an environment that is not competing with amps and electrics. We have focused on showcasing a great variety of live guitar styles presented by some of Australia’s best players. We have made a concerted decision to present more group concerts that highlight the acoustic and electric guitar, featuring performances by legends and soon-to-be legends.”
With two floors of fretted instrument fun, punters can immerse themselves in the electricity of loud guitars, amps and pedals on the ground floor, then head upstairs to the dedicated acoustic area featuring beautiful, finely crafted acoustic instruments and stripped back performances by some of Australia’s finest guitar pickers. Exhibitors and patrons will be treated to live performances and information seminars by expert guitarists across the entire weekend. Players such as Nick Charles, Simon Hosford, Jamie Pye and many more will each showcase their talent and share their knowledge. In addition to the solo acts, there will be a Melbourne Guitar Show SuperJam where, as Rob enthuses, “you never know who’s going to get up to play! It could easily be one of those rare ‘were you at the Melbourne Guitar Show when…’ moments.”
First artist line up announcement includes: Kevin Borich, Bob Spencer, Teramaze, The Delusion, Geoff Achison, Dean Ray, Wayne Jones, Brett Kingman, Phil Ceberano, James Ryan, Jimi Hocking, Matthew Fagan, Shannon Bourne, Simon Hosford, Nick Charles, Rod Bustos, Jamie Pye, Rohan Stevenson, Lucas Michailidis, Daniel Champagne, Sergio Ercole, Jon Delaney, Lachie Robertson, Phil Manning and learn from the Professors; Simon Patterson, Troy Male and Peter Hodgson.
The Melbourne Guitar Show will be held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 6 and 7. Online ticket prices when pre-ordered:: Adult day pass $16, adult weekend pass $25, family day pass for four $35, family weekend pass for four $45, concession day pass $10, concession weekend pass $15
‘PARLOUR GIGS’ EXPANDS FUTURE OF LIVE MUSIC WITH RELEASE OF ONLINE BOOKING PLATFORM
From May 19, Parlour Gigs will make hosting intimate live music even easier with the debut of their new online booking platform. This purpose-built web application allows hosts to create a new gig in minutes, complete with electronic ticketing and the choice of recommended local artists from curated lists based on location and genre specification.
Founded in early 2015 by Melbourne singer-songwriter Matt Walters, Parlour has created an opportunity for Australian music enthusiasts to host a show for friends and family in their own home. Originally created as a means of making live performance financially sustainable for emerging artists, Matt was also blown away by the beautiful, intimate shows uniquely realised by each host.
To date, Parlour has facilitated more than 150 performances all over Australia, having hosted shows for Harry James Angus (pic inset), Dan Kelly, Mia Dyson, Oh Mercy, Tinpan Orange, Lisa Mitchell and many more talented Australian artists. Now, one year down the track, the team aims to expand their reach by automating their booking, ticketing and artist selection process, giving more hosts and musicians the tools they need to share the magic of a Parlour performance.
Matt and co-founder Glenn Luck are extremely passionate about the platforms’ expansion. The duo explains, “We love the idea that your next favourite artist could be in your postcode. Also most hosts that sign up now want us to recommend great local talent to them…we know there is so much amazing music available to people locally – but there are so many barriers. The fact is, fans don’t always want to go out to clubs and see headliners come on at 11.30 PM. We want to connect music lovers with these great local artists in their area – and, of course, host them in their house and showcase them to their friends.”
True to their intention, the benefit to both emerging and established Australian artists has been huge. Since Parlour’s inception, impassioned local musicians wanting to contribute have inundated the pair. The new platform encourages artists of all walks to sign in directly, curating a profile similar to Bandcamp or Soundcloud before being recommended to potential hosts in their area.
Musicians in Australia make just $7200 on average per annum (http://artfacts.australiacouncil.gov.au/music/), but with the expansion of Parlour, Matt and Glenn hope to work towards a rise in this figure over the next few years. Parlour artists take 78% of ticket sales and are currently paid a minimum of $300 per show, and there is no maximum, with artists receiving an average fee of $550 for a 45-60 minute set. A recent show at a church in the small regional Victorian town of Birregurra saw a band leave with $2,500, and in future Parlour aspire to create more opportunities like this for musicians to make a fair wage.
Parlour is about paying artists properly to do what they love best, while connecting Australia’s music loving community with new and talented performers. Giving control of this ground-breaking event management platform to the community that gave it life is the next step towards an industry that musicians and music lovers can be proud of.
For more information and to check out the new online booking platform, head to www.parlourgigs.com