The Adelaide Guitar Festival 2024 is gearing up to celebrate South Australia’s dynamic live music scene once again with the ever-popular Guitars in Bars. This annual event, which runs from September 16 to 29, promises to infuse music into every corner of Adelaide, a UNESCO City of Music.
The festival will bring both free and ticketed performances to a variety of venues, including pubs, clubs, bars, and public spaces. This year’s edition spreads across iconic locations such as the Grace Emily Hotel, Memphis Slims House of Blues, Trinity Sessions, and a stack of other local spots.
At the Grace Emily Hotel, attendees can enjoy Billy Bob’s BBQ Jam every Monday. This event features Billy Bob Rankine and his band The BBQ Boys, alongside delicious barbecue offerings. Meanwhile, Memphis Slims House of Blues in Gilbert Place will host Dusty Lee’s Blues Jam. Dusty Lee Stephensen, a popular local producer and musician, will showcase his blues expertise.
The festival proudly hosts a diverse range of musical talents from different genres and backgrounds. Kathleen Halloran, guitarist for Kate Ceberano’s band, and Stefan Hauk, a prominent name in the Adelaide blues scene, are among the featured artists. Sam Brittain & The Bloody Musos, described by Rolling Stone Australia as “Australia’s answer to Bruce Springsteen”, will also grace the festival.
Adding to the eclectic mix, the Trinity Sessions in Goodwood will present a folk lineup with performances by Eric Bogle and Grace Petrie. Both artists are acclaimed singer-songwriters hailing from Scotland and England, respectively.
Additional venues like The Wheaty, Hal’s Hall, and Queens Theatre will feature performances by renowned musicians such as James Muller, a master of jazz guitar, and William Crighton, an award-winning alternative rock artist. The lineup extends to include jazz vocalist Chelsea Lee performing with the DHOTIS Project, echoing the distinct style of UK band Portishead.
Guitars in Bars isn’t just limited to central Adelaide. This year, the festival extends to Stirling for the Stirling Laneways Season Launch. This collaboration offers market stalls and a lineup featuring top South Australian guitarists, bringing the community together for a celebration of music and local culture.
Slava Grigoryan, the Artistic Director of Adelaide Guitar Festival, shared, “Guitars in Bars is a broad celebration of the artists, venues, and audiences that form the vibrant core of our live music scene in Adelaide. This event shines a spotlight on the diverse talent and passionate performers who bring music to life in our local bars and venues.”
Sean Howard, Director of Memphis Slims House of Blues, commented on the festival’s role in supporting musicians and fostering a sense of community. Howard noted, “To be able to create pay checks for musicians and also create a space that inspires musicians is something that keeps the oil burning hot for us. Music in Adelaide relies on consistency, community and acceptance. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to have a place where they feel as though they belong.”
The Adelaide Guitar Festival 2024 will open on September 12 and run until September 29. Event details and the full program are available on the festival’s official website at adelaideguitarfestival.com.au.
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