Welcome to the 1st annual Adelaide International Guitar Festival

The inaugural Adelaide International Guitar Festival was a strumming success!

Over 70 artists entertained, amused and educated 30,000 guitar-lovers from across the globe. Finger-pickers & shredders, slide maestros and virtuosos from all genres offered a range of extraordinary experiences for concert-goers of all tastes. The atmosphere was lifted even further by the number of impromptu "performances" in the café and surrounds, after concerts when musicians strapped on their guitar and started playing for each other. The opportunity to freely mingle with some of the world's greats over a coffee or beer in the Wah-Bar was a highlight for many.

ARTISTS FEEDBACK

Our artists, without exception, have expressed their wish to come back in future years.

International Artist -In-Residence Jorma Kaukonen: "I have never been involved with such an impressive and well-organised event. The calibre of artists and behind-the-scenes staff has been a joy to be involved with."

Artist-In-Residence Jeff Lang: "It has been great being here for the duration of the event. Catching up with friends, and making new friends is what it's all about. The best part was playing with, and learning from, new people which only makes me a better player. It has been an inspiring and thoroughly professional event to be a part of".

Jazz great Martin Taylor: "I didn't want to miss it. I've played at many festivals and I can't believe the quality of artists you have assembled here. The professional management of this (event) puts many others around the world to shame".

FESTIVAL PICS

The festival was brilliantly captured by our official photographer Tony Lewis with a great mix of shots of concerts, individual artists, the crowds and amazing guitar close-ups. Check out the photo's here.

Guinness Book Of Records: Biggest Guitar Band Attempt

We didn't quite break the world record but a record 1,350 Australians took part in our Biggest Guitar Band attempt, with many hundreds watching on. Around 2,000 people enjoyed the night and the audience had a go at doing Smoke On The Water by themselves too - and it didn't sound too bad! We're not giving up just yet - we'll have another crack at it in 2008. Check out the photo's here.

MERCHANDISE STILL AVAILABLE

A great range of guitar festival merchandise (caps, tshirts and more) is still available from the Adelaide Festival Centre's merchandise counter, open 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday.

2008 FESTIVAL

Planning for the 2008 festival is well under way and promises to be even bigger and better. Stay tuned for new dates to be released soon.

The Adelaide International Guitar Festival is presented and produced by Adelaide Festival Centre with proud support from the South Australian Government and the South Australian Tourism Commission, the Adelaide International Guitar Festival is an important new music festival that will sit firmly in music-lovers calendars as an annual event not to be missed.