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