The Adelaide Guitar Festival returns once again this year from 10th September. This year’s program features the world’s greatest guitar players representing the very best in classical, blues, rock, country and much more, presented by the Adelaide Festival Centre.
In Adelaide’s 10th year as a UNESCO City of Music, this year’s program welcomes award-winning guitarists from across the country and around the world, including leading international artists making their Australian debuts, world premieres, and performances by music legends and rising stars. Adelaide Guitar Festival is the ultimate celebration of the world’s most popular instrument.
Adelaide Guitar Festival is curated by Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan: “Whether it’s a performance in Adelaide or in our stunning regions when we go On the Road, it’s a thrill to host brilliant artists from Australia and across the globe in South Australia. I hope you can join me in welcoming this year’s exceptional artists to our stages, many who come to our festival for the very first time. On behalf of myself and the team, we hope that you enjoy the 2025 Adelaide Guitar Festival.”
Headlining this year’s festival is the incredible John Butler, making his Adelaide Guitar Festival debut with the Prism Tour on Wednesday 10th September. Opening the festival, John will introduce his brand-new album Prism, accompanied by his three-piece band: original touring drummer Michael Barker, percussionist Michael Boase, and Ian Peres on keys and bass. Prism encapsulates the full John Butler sound, reclaiming his classic groove-laden force, brimming with fierce guitars, robust percussion and meteoric choruses. John’s special guest for the evening will be the highly celebrated, ARIA-nominated, award-winning singer and songwriter Emma Donovan.
Other festival highlights include radio, TV and podcast presenter Zan Rowe who is bringing Riffing with Zan Rowe to Her Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday 11th September. In this show, Zan will talk foundations, inspirations, and technique with a guest list of incredible artists: national treasure, Troy Cassar-Daley, Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan, formidable lead and session player Kathleen Halloran, and one of the most exciting new talents on the international scene, Catalonian virtuosa Lau Noah. With a live house band ready to riff with them all, this will be a very special night.
In an unmissable event, two storytelling superstars, Troy Cassar-Daley and Nancy Bates, come together for one special night on Friday 12th September at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Opening the evening is local legend, Barkindji song woman Nancy Bates who weaves heart, vision and the power of collaboration in her anticipated new album release Share Your Love. Seeded through her years on the road with Archie Roach, Nancy’s soulful songs will take centre stage, accompanied by her stellar band and a rich cast of collaborators in a special festival album launch. Rounding out an exceptional evening is the phenomenal Troy Cassar-Daley, who returns to Adelaide Guitar Festival with his full band. Troy’s versatile guitar playing and heartfelt song-writing and vocal style has produced thirty-three Number 1 chart singles and numerous gold and platinum albums. His passion for storytelling through his instrument has made an indelible mark on the country’s musical landscape.
Celebrating 50 years of the iconic Led Zeppelin album, Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti Live in Concert, welcomes to Her Majesty’s Theatre stage some of Australia’s finest musicians in a world premiere performance. Bringing the album to life with the Southern Cross Symphony will be Zeppelin aficionado, Warwick Cheatle on bass, powerhouse Danny Leo on drums and the sensational Paul White on keys. On guitar will be Dusty Lee Stephensen (Wanderers, 27 Club, DUSTYN), Adelaide Guitar Festival favourite Kathleen Halloran (Jon Stevens band, Kate Ceberano band). On vocals Adelaide’s own Shaun Holton, Zkye Compson-Harris and Dusty Lee Stephensen. In an electrifying all-star homage, enjoy the seminal Physical Graffiti album in its entirety, backed up by all the greatest Zeppelin hits you know and love, on Saturday 13th September.
In a festival exclusive, Lau Noah comes to Australia for the first time. From Catalonia to New York’s most prestigious stages, Lau Noah is fast becoming known as one of this generation’s most distinctive guitarists. Praised by luminaries like Phoebe Bridgers and Jackson Browne for her masterful guitar-voice counterpoint, Noah brings her extraordinary technique to Adelaide fresh from collaborations with Jacob Collier, Chris Thile and Jorge Drexler. In a remarkable festival double bill, Australia’s beloved Lior performs with his full band, showcasing his soaring and newest album The Blue Parade. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music on Sunday September 14th at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
The Adelaide Guitar Festival will reach beyond the walls of Adelaide Festival Centre with its live music association around Adelaide’s best music venues with Guitars in Bars, and the festival will hit the road to perform in South Australia’s Southeast region including Mt Gambier from October 4 to 12 with On the Road. Stay tuned for further details.
Adelaide Guitar Festival 2025 is on from September 10 to October 12. Tickets on sale now at adelaideguitarfestival.com.au .
Photo credit: Nick McKinlay
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