Adelaide Guitar Festival’s 2023 Programme Features World’s Best Guitarists

This year’s programme includes:  

Twice Grammy-nominated American indie folk duo The Milk Carton Kids will perform direct from the US making their Adelaide debut when they take to the stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre for one night only on 13 July.  

The Milk Carton Kids with their impeccable harmonies, song writing and captivating storytelling are not to be missed. Known for their beautiful melodies and impressive finger picking technique, it is the moments between the songs that also make for an immersive concert experience as they are laced with great banter and a good deal of humour.  

The Milk Carton Kids

In a special event, The Music of Jeff Beck draws together leading musicians including Paul Mason, James Muller, Antoine Boyer, Jeremy Sawkins on guitar, with Carla Lippis and special guest singers in a tribute to guitar legend, Jeff Beck.  

In an Australian exclusive and direct from Seville, Colours of Spain presents a magnificent journey through the vibrant landscape of Spain. Featuring a stunning solo classical guitar performance from Andrea González. Caballero, followed by Compañia Flamenca and Antonio Andrades bringing five dancers and four musicians direct from fellow UNESCO City of Music, Seville.  This beautiful programme will fill the stage with passion, energy and spectacular flare, creating an image of contemporary flamenco that is deeply conscious of its traditional roots.  

2022’s Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition champion, Connor Whyte is quickly establishing himself as a sublime concert-guitarist. Having participated in several Adelaide Guitar Festivals through masterclasses, the Adelaide Guitar Festival Orchestra and Backstage Sessions Live, Connor makes his Adelaide Guitar Festival debut as a solo performer on 14 July at Dunstan Playhouse.  2023 Adelaide International Guitar Competition will also be held once again on the final day of the Adelaide Guitar Festival (16 July) when this year’s winner will be announced.   

With a focus towards Australian music, contemporary compositions and imaginative arrangements of admired classics, the celebrated Melbourne Guitar Quartet (MGQ) is a true driving force in the world of guitar ensemble performance. MGQ continues to captivate and delight audiences from guitar aficionados and avid lovers of chamber music and to concert first-timers alike. MGQ will also perform in the Adelaide Guitar Festival Orchestra as guest tutors and ensemble experts, led by charismatic teacher and composer Dr Paul Svoboda.  

Joining Adelaide Guitar Festival’s programme, cosmic Country Queen Freya Josephine Hollick brings her full band to Adelaide for a special event, with a suite of guitars including pedal steel. Freya’s most recent album The Real World has received ARIA chart action including a top 10 vinyl entry, a #2 on The Australian Country charts and a #1 on the AIR 100% independent chart, along with album of the week nods from 3PBS, 3RRR, and ABC Country.   

Audiences can see South Australia’s own Alana Jagt perform her blend of stormy folk-rock noir that’s refreshing yet somehow familiar. Jagt cut her teeth as a teen playing keys and singing harmonies in her parents’ ramshackle blues barn and has supported artists including Abbe May, Mick Thomas, Paul Dempsey, Thelma Plum, Ali Barter, Killing Heidi and Darren Hanlon to name a few.  

Freya Josephine Hollick – Photo by Maximum Person

In an Adelaide Guitar Festival first, Adelaide metal band Freedom of Fear are set to make their festival debut after commanding attention across the nation.  Their intense and dazzlingly technical live show has seen them tour alongside some of the biggest names on the scene. With dual guitar shredding, astonishing musicianship and compelling performance, they are hailed as one of the best kept secrets in the Australian metal underground.  

Freedom of Fear – Photo by Third Eye Visuals

Adelaide Guitar Festival Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan: “Adelaide Guitar Festival 2023 includes something for everyone, including our very first metal performance, and a number of Australian exclusives.  

“We pride ourselves in helping to nurture the next generation of guitar players and this year’s solo performance of 2022 Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition winner Connor Whyte is testament to that. We look forward to welcoming the world’s best guitarists to Adelaide Festival Centre, and seeing what new talent we uncover this year.”  

Take Your Pick, there is so much to enjoy. Adelaide Guitar Festival 2023 opens from 1 – 16 July.