Acoustic Guitar Spectacular 2024

Experience stunning acoustic mastery as the highly anticipated Acoustic Guitar Spectacular returns in 2024. Hosted by renowned Brisbane guitarist Michael Fix, this series of intimate concerts brings together a trio of Queensland's finest musicians including Marcus Church and Brendan Radford.

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Image Credit: David Kelly

Known for his brilliant fingerstyle guitar playing and captivating compositions, Michael Fix has released numerous albums, won multiple awards, (including three CMAA Golden Guitar Awards), and has toured extensively throughout Australia and the world.

Marcus Church is a standout acoustic guitarist rapidly gaining recognition in the Australian bluegrass scene. He is a regular performer with local bands including Haystack Mountain Hermits, the Shining Hour, and the Inadequates.

Gifted guitarist and vocalist, Brendan Radford, has performed and recorded with many leading Australian and international artists. He was part of Lee Kernaghan’s touring band for over a decade and has been a key member of the house band for the Country Music Awards of Australia for the past eleven years.

Complete with fretboard virtuosity, personal tales, and charming humour, this concert promises to be a unique journey into the heart of acoustic music, captivating music fans and guitar aficionados alike. Performing solo and ensemble pieces and traversing a wide range of genres from country to rock and classical to bluegrass, these diverse guitarists offer a rare opportunity to witness an abundance of musical talent on the one stage.

Michael Fix

 

Put an acoustic guitar into Michael Fix's hands and the emotional possibilities of music are suddenly realised. This remarkable composer and musician has the power to create sensory experiences through his music - capturing and conveying emotions, experiences and images with ease. Over the past 25 years, Michael has released thirteen albums, together with several songbooks, singles and EPs, and has established himself as one of Australia's finest guitarists and composers. He has also won numerous awards for his music, including three Golden Guitars.

Watch: https://youtu.be/KoaI0p1LKIY

Marcus Church

 

A graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Marcus Church is an outstanding acoustic guitarist quickly making a name for himself in the Australian bluegrass scene. Marcus regularly performs in the Haystack Mountain Hermits, the Shining Hour, and the Inadequates. Each of these groups has allowed him to showcase his unique sound, skill and passion for bluegrass, earning him a dedicated following of fans and admirers.

Watch: https://youtu.be/y0HprX3zSHM

Brendan Radford

 

Brendan Radford is a gifted vocalist/guitarist who has performed and recorded with many leading Australian and international artists. He was part of Lee Kernaghan’s touring band for over ten years and has also been in the Country Music Awards of Australia house band for the past eleven years, the last five as Musical Director. Prior to and also during this period he has performed and/or recorded with other luminary Australian and International artists including Pam Tillis, Gina Jeffreys, Troy Cassar-Daly, Adam Harvey, Sara Storer, Glen Shorrock, Russell Morris and many others. Brendan operates his own recording facility RADMUSIC and is kept busy producing musical projects and albums for a number of local and interstate artists. These include award winning productions that have consistently achieved Top 30 in the country music charts.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL4_PH0or8I

Sam Shepherd

 

Sam Shepherd has been playing guitar from the moment he was big enough to hold one. In 2005 Sam won the ‘National young jazz/blues guitarist of the year’ award at Frankston International Guitar Festival. Since then he has worked and performed with some of the best musicians in the country. Artists such as: Diesel, Peter Cupples, Michael Fix, Danny Mayers (The Delltones), Bruce Mathiske, and Louie Shelton.

Watch: https://www.samshepherdmusic.com/

Jamie Clarke

 

Jamie Clark is a guitarist, songwriter, composer, arranger and bandleader in musical endeavors ranging from jazz, rock, country, and folk to bluegrass, cabaret and music theatre. Artists Jamie has performed / recorded with include: Leah Cotterell, Katie Noonan, Kate Miller-Heidke, James Morrison, Kristin Beradi, Emma Pask, Frances Madden, Elly Hoyt, Vika and Linda Bull, Charlotte McLean, The Queensland Symphony Orchestra, The Ten Tenors, Carol Lloyd, Women In Voice, Topology, Mark Sholtez, The View From Madeleine’s Couch, James Blundell, as well as many of Australia’s finest jazz musicians. Musical direction, arrangements and theatre performance includes work for companies such as Women In Voice, Queensland Theatre Company, La Boite, Queensland Cabaret Festival, The Queensland Music Festival, and The Adelaide Festival.

Watch: https://www.facebook.com/JamieClarkgtr/

Jordan Brodie

 

Award winning Fingerstyle guitarist and composer, Jordan Brodie, is regarded as “one of the best young guitar players in Australia”. With a fine sense of showmanship and technical virtuosity, Jordan is well on his way to a flourishing solo career. Based in Brisbane, Jordan released his latest album “Riff Raff” in August 2020. The album showcases his fun, cheekier side with catchy, groove-based tunes (and of course a few ballads!). Drawing on inspirations such as Aussie compatriots, Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Fix and Joe Robinson, Jordan performs using a fingerstyle guitar technique: playing the bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@jordanbrodiemusic

Sarah Koppen

 

With her infectious grooves & funky guitar techniques, Sarah Koppen has wowed audiences across Queensland. Her music brings a fresh take to fingerstyle guitar by blending multi-genre & percussive guitar chops, vocal beatboxing, live looping & FX together to form a one of a kind one-woman-band. Sarah’s versatile acoustic prowess and captivating story telling will be sure to make you dance, laugh, cry, and shake your head in disbelief.

Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=tLBfcgw4xGM

Chris Tamwoy

 

His distinctive guitar-tap style and vibrant personality see Chris Tamwoy in high-demand with gigs across Australia, the USA and ongoing media appearances and documentary features.  In 2016 national TV audiences watched Chris made his way through to the grand finals of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’, and in 2018 saw him on TV weekly as a judge on ‘All Together Now’. Having played some of Australia’s largest festivals he often surprises crowds with sensational on-stage collaborations. He also represented proudly at G’day LA, G’day USA and in Hawaii, and returns home to the islands whenever he can.  2018 also saw an inspired performance and Acknowledgment of Country and People at the Invictus Games Closing Ceremony, collaborating with Colin Hay, Aloe Blacc and many more talented musicians. 2015 was a busy year with the release of his debut EP Ngaw Laag ‘My Home’ (available via iTunes and Impossible Odds Records), and the honour of receiving the National NAIDOC Youth of the Year Award. Since then Chris has been writing and rehearsing for an album set for release in 2019. Dubbed a ‘guitar virtuoso’, this humble young man’s music, personality and vibe is unforgettable.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p3mWzPvWJk

Luca Stricagnoli

With his music videos having Internet views exceeding 100 million and bookings in every corner of the globe, Luca Stricagnoli will be here as part of this eagerly anticipated event. “When it comes to crazy guitar skills Luca Stricagnoli is one of the absolute best.” NME Using up to five guitars in the same piece, modified capos, and self-conceived stratagems, Luca continually leaves his audiences in awe and wondering what’s next for the up-and-coming guitarist. In addition to his musical abilities, Luca brings an enthusiastic energy to the stage that makes him a true entertainer. To have an idea of the impact of his shows, it’s enough to consider that he toured over 16 countries in just a few years and performed in front of audiences up to 12000 people. Luca will introduce to Australia his self-invented Triple Neck Guitar, which obtained once again viral success with over 40 million views online. His performances with this instrument have been featured in magazines all over the world and even grabbed the attention of famous bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Walk Off The Earth. This will be Luca’s first time in Australia: a show not to miss!

Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=o2mkYv3JrjU

Minnie Marks

With an insane talent that’s out of control playing what she calls dirty sweet rock & roll this young singer/songwriter/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist has been eating up girl bands since 1994. Minnie Marks is not just some blazingly electrified acoustic guitar playing freak of nature, but also a rare and triple threat: Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Be warned, her show will take you on a dizzying, riff rock rollercoaster ride with songs written over the past years of her musical journey around the world. Touring a new album release “Trouble With The Troubadour” this bombshell explodes on stage pushing the limits of her guitar, vocals and performance, kicking arse and playing to packed out shows, leaving little doubt everybody is touting her as ‘the next big thing’. Be it a festival audience or a bar room packed like a can of Sardines, she DOES NOT disappoint.

Watch: youtube.com/watch?v=VGnJm2ugZc8

Andrea Valeri

 

Defined as the “Prince of the Acoustic guitar”, and a new ambassador of acoustic music, Andrea Valeri - despite his very young age - is now a veteran of many of the biggest stages around the globe. From Australia to New Zealand, from Russia to Canada, from Europe to the African continent, Andrea continues to garner accolades and worldwide success. Andrea began his guitar career at age 10. As a child growing up in Pontedera, Italy, he began by studying classical guitar techniques first, passing through an ‘electric phase’ after that, and finally leading to the acoustic guitar. Aged eighteen Andrea was awarded the title of “Italian musical excellence.” He has already released 6 solo albums. Andrea has shared the stage, toured the world and recorded with many of the six strings masters including: Michael Fix, Adam Rafferty, François Sciortino, Tony Cox, Tazenda, Van Larkins, Maneli Jamal, John Doan, Goran Kuzminac Daniele Bazzani, Buck Wolters, Andrew Veivers, Nick Charles, Robbie Long, Vincenzo Zitello, Bryan Rason, Thomas Leeb, Marco Baracchino, Mickey Murphy, Alberto Caltanella, Ciosi, Roberto Dalla Vecchia and many more … Guitarists who have inspired Andrea define him as a “Star of the guitar world.”

Watch: youtube.com/channel/UC5fsbGItdICLK0szA4WIPlA

Soenke Meinen

Combining virtuoso fingerstyle guitar with influences from jazz, world and classical music, 26 year old Soenke Meinen has carved an outstanding reputation in the international guitar scene. In 2016, he won first prize at the Guitar Masters fingerstyle competition, was awarded the European Guitar Award as well as the Artesano Guitarist of the Year. Nylon strings encounter steel strings, ballads meet high energy tracks, and Tommy Emmanuel inspired solo compositions complement his covered arrangements.

Watch: soenkemeinen.com/en/videos

Bruce Mathiske

Bruce Mathiske is internationally recognised as a maestro of the guitar. With a career spanning 3 decades, he has delighted audiences around the world with not just his phenomenal level of technical brilliance, but more importantly, with his instinctive ability to absorb and understand, then master and consummately deliver just about any style of music you could think of. He is the chameleon of guitar. Using his influences from the culmination of a lifetime of absorbing music and sounds, Bruce Mathiske is a unique item, in that as well as composing and orchestrating he also performs his own pieces. Bruce’s performances and workshops demonstrate the diversity of his chosen instrument. He is the only Australian musician to have been invited to perform and host workshops and a concert at America’s prestigious Yale University.

Watch: youtube.com/channel/UChD9z6vPi2_ubJDbe-mvcNA

Adam Rafferty

Adam Rafferty (a.k.a. "Raf") has played as a first-call, in-demand guitarist with the greatest musicians on the planet at countless music festivals (US and Europe), concert halls, and New York City night clubs - with the likes of Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, L.A. Studio legend Bennie Wallace (wrote the soundtrack for "White Men Can't Jump"), bassist Bob Cranshaw (from the original Saturday Night Live band), Alvin Queen (drummer for Oscar Peterson), and Mike Longo - Dizzy's pianist - to name a few. Adam’s first two acoustic CD's "Gratitude" and "Chameleon" consist of original compositions and cover songs by Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Bill Withers and Dr. Lonnie Smith.

Watch: youtube.com/channel/UCqz2sYIShUX4MuVyCtI0mVQ

Andrew Veivers

One of Australia’s finest Spanish Guitarists, Andrew Veivers draws on a wide range of musical influences to evoke the sensual and mesmerising sounds of the Spanish guitar in all of its guises. At venues ranging from Blenhiem Palace (UK) to The Dillington Classical Guitar Festival (UK) to chamber music series' in Amsterdam to concerts at many of Australia's leading festivals, Andrew has appeared as a soloist as well as with his various groups (Flamenco Fire, The Saruzu Quartet, Jaleos Flamenco) to great critical acclaim. Veivers has developed a very personal and clearly identifiable compositional style. His passion for both the classical and flamenco worlds of music, song, and dance have resulted in compositions that stylistically draw inspiration from greats as diverse as Manolo Sanlucar, Steve Reich, and Manuel de Falla while retaining a clearly individual lilt. Deeply rhythmical, harmonically adventurous, and unashamedly lyrical, the architecture of Veivers' compositions reflects his ability to seamlessly join the rigorous research of a topic with the emotive goal and direction of a lyric or melody.

Watch: andrewveivers.com/music-samples

Reviews 

The Events Centre was thrilled to present The Acoustic Guitar performance on the 19th August. The artists were all high class and the performance exceeded expectations. Engaging with the Sunshine Coast Guitar Orchestra made it extra special for the local community .The orchestra meet and rehearse once a month at the Centre and for them to join the high class entertainers, international visitors Adam Rafferty and Michael Fix plus the amazing Andrew Veivers on stage was an absolute joy, not only for the Sunshine Coast Guitar Orchestra but also for the audience. Sharon Davis - The Events Centre Caloundra

A great evening for the 70 who were present. It is incredible what those men can do with their guitars and I think all present felt privileged to to be able to hear them. Shirley Allen - Chinchilla Arts Council

The Zamia theatre was happy to have a full house for the show. The presentation of the show had a good look about it with subtle use of lighting. The individual artists interacted with the audience which immediately had everyone relaxed and the audience sure enjoyed the music. They also appreciated the fact they were in the company of major, excellent artists. Feedback days later from audience members was essentially urging the Zamia theatre management committee to have a return season if at all possible. Ian Young - Zamia Theatre

On behalf of The Majestic Theatre I would like to congratulate you and Red Chair for the very successful Acoustic Guitar Spectacular which was held at the theatre on Friday 21 August 2015. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the mastery of the world-class musicians. This was the second time The Majestic Theatre has proudly hosted the Acoustic Guitar Spectacular and we hope to welcome them back again for yet another successful show in the near future. Renae Suttie - Majestic Theatre

Performance History

2024 • Eudlo Hall • Coolum Civic Centre • Empress Theatre ARCANA (Moorooka) • Majestic Theatre (Pomona) • Maleny Community Centre • Studio 188 (Ipswich) • Millmerran Bowls Club

2023 • Kingston Butter Factory • Tom Atkin Hall (Tugun) • Goondiwindi Cinema & Theatre • Coolum Civic Centre • Maleny Community Centre • Ipswich Civic Centre • Majestic Theatre (Pomona) • Eudlo Hall • Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre • Agnes Water Community Centre

2022 • Boonah Cultural Centre • Ipswich Civic Centre • Yandina School of Arts • Brisbane City Hall • Maleny Community Centre • Eudlo Hall • Majestic Theatre (Pomona) • Saltwater Eco Tours (Mooloolaba) • Boyne Tannum Community Centre • Agnes Water Community Centre • Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre • Calliope Community Centre

2021 • Beenleigh Events Centre • Agnes Water Community Centre • Calliope Community Centre • Miriam Vale Community Centre • Mount Larcom Hall • Boyne Tannum Community Centre • Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre • Brisbane City Hall

2020 • Ipswich Civic Centre

2019 • Wolvi & District War Memorial Hall • QANTAS Founders Museum (Longreach) • Waltzing Matilda Centre (Winton) • Paroo Shire Hall (Cunnumulla) • Goondiwindi Cinema & Theatre • Logan Entertainment Centre (Logan Central) • Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre • Brisbane City Hall • The Events Centre (Caloundra) • Ipswich Civic Centre • USQ Artsworx (Toowoomba)

2018 • The Events Centre (Caloundra) • Ipswich Civic Centre • Redland Performing Arts Centre (Cleveland) • Brisbane City Hall • Brisbane Jazz Club • Yeppoon Town Hall • The Old RSL Building (Atherton) • QANTAS Founders Museum (Longreach) • Diggers Entertainment Centre (Hughenden) • The Con Theatre (Innisfail) • The Majestic Theatre (Pomona) • Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre

2017 • Soundlounge (Currumbin) • The Events Centre (Caloundra) • Brisbane Jazz Club • Brisbane City Hall • Yeppoon Town Hall • Burdekin Theatre (Ayr) • Calvary Christian Church (Emerald) • QANTAS Founders Museum (Longreach) • Barcaldine Shire Hall • Ipswich Civic Centre • Gatakers Artspace (Maryborough) • Leichhardt Centre (Miles) • Logan Entertainment Centre

2016 • Brisbane City Hall • The Events Centre (Caloundra) • Ipswich Civic Centre • Logan Entertainment Centre • QANTAS Founders Museum (Longreach) • World Theatre (Charters Towers) • Proserpine Entertainment Centre

2015 • Redland Performing Arts Centre • Majestic Theatre (Pomona) • Chinchilla Arts Council • The Events Centre (Caloundra) • Brisbane Jazz Club • Studio 188 (Ipswich) • Zamia Theatre (Tamborine)

2014 • Brisbane Jazz Club • Helensvale Cultural Club • Ipswich Civic Centre • The Events Centre (Caloundra)

2013 • Centro CBD (Wollongong) • Maleny Community Centre • Ipswich Civic Centre • Mueller Performing Arts Centre (MPAC) • Bond University (Gold Coast) • St Paul's College

2012 • Centro CBD (Wollongong) • Ipswich Civic Centre • St Paul's College • Big Music (Crow's Nest) • Kantara House (Central Coast, NSW) • Queen St Mall (Brisbane) • Majestic Theatre (Pomona) • Lizotte's (Newcastle) • Gold Coast Arts Centre | Petrie Pioneer Village

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