$20 ADV, $25 day of show
GA, seated - Doors open at 7pm
Mike Dawes
Mike Dawes is an English guitarist known for composing, arranging, and performing multiple parts simultaneously on one instrument. He is hailed as one of the world’s most creative modern fingerstyle guitarist with a repertoire spanning solo viral video hits alongside mainstream chart success performing with Justin Hayward from The Moody Blues. Dawes was named “Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World” by Total Guitar Magazine / MusicRadar in both December 2017 and 2018 readers polls.
Dawes’ recent solo album, ERA, spawned a viral hit with his arrangement of “One” by Metallica that has over 4 million YouTube views. His debut record, “What Just Happened?”, featured the fan favorite original, “Boogie Slam” and another viral hit with the Gotye song, “Somebody That I Use To Know” with almost 5 million YouTube views. Dawes is also featured on multiple Justin Hayward live releases such as Spirits...Live, which debuted at #2 on the US Billboard Chart. Dawes also a strong reputation as a music educator, acting as a columnist for Guitar World and Acoustic Guitar as well as teaching multiple guitar workshops all over the world. In addition to touring North America and Europe with Justin Hayward, Dawes has also toured with fingerstyle guitarists such as Andy McKee and Tommy Emmanuel. Dawes has also been a part of several ‘International Guitar Night’ tours.
“He slaps, taps, and caresses his way to brilliance” Guitar World Magazine
“Dawes is Jaw Dropping” Guitar Player Magazine
“The Acoustic Tapping Titan” Total Guitar Magazine/ MusicRadar
“An Innate melodic instinct and incredible guitar prowess.” Guitar World / Acoustic Nation
“F#@cking Awesome” James Hetfield (Metallica)
“Astounding Virtuosity” Gotye
“Mike Dawes is a wonderful musician and a dear friend.” Tommy Emmanuel, CGP
“He’s among the very best in the word. He’s exceptional, and I know you’re going to love him!” Justin Hayward (The Moody Blues)
Gareth Pearson
Gareth Pearson is referred to as “The Welsh Tornado” which is particularly appropriate, seeing as this special talent combines fingerstyle pyrotechnics, with explosive lead runs making Pearson one of the most exciting acoustic musicians gigging today.
Gareth has a distinctive style that can be heard through his creative and innovative arrangements which cover a wide spectrum of genres, including country/folk/classical/pop/rock/jazz/swing and bluegrass music, along with his own beautiful and often intricate original compositions.
Drawing his playing style initially from influences such as Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and Tommy Emmanuel, he has developed a style that is both inspiring and entertaining.
Within a year of taking up the guitar, Gareth was opening for Tommy Emmanuel on his 2005 UK tour. It was in Cardiff where Tommy invited Gareth to play at the CAAS convention (Chet Atkins Appreciation Society) in Nashville Tennessee.
Later that year, Gareth was performing and touring alongside Ray Davies (The Kinks), John Renbourne, and Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes. During the Southside Johnny tour, Gareth was invited by Southside to be flown over to the USA to open for his annual New Years Eve concert at the Count Basie Theatre in New Jersey.
The following year Gareth was invited by Tommy Emmanuel to be the support act for his UK tour, following extensive UK supports to Jan Akkerman, Andy McKee and appearing at numerous Folk Festivals and Guitar workshops including the Montreal Jazz Festival.
With appearances throughout Europe and a growing reputation, Gareth was invited to perform at the 2008 Canadian Guitar Festival where he came to the attention of Candyrat Records. This lay the seed for Gareth to be the first UK guitarist to be signed by the label. On its release, Gareth’s debut album “Urban Echoes Vol 1” was selected by Acoustic Guitar editors and frequent contributors as one of the “Essential Acoustic Albums of 2010”.
With Appearances at the 2009 Montreal Guitar Festival, USA and Worldwide tours and Guitar workshops, Gareth’s reputation as a performer and teacher is constantly growing.