Manchester Guitar Festival returns for a second incredible instalment at The Stoller Hall

After a hugely successful inaugural event in 2022, Manchester Guitar Festival returns to The Stoller Hall from Fri 19 – Sun 21 May with three days of unmissable masterclasses, workshops and concerts alongside a selection of family-friendly events across the weekend.

Following a Friday evening headline concert from world-renowned blues troubadour and two-time Grammy Award nominee Eric Bibb, the festival’s Saturday programme features a Fingerstyle Masterclass from John Gomm – followed by a performance at 3pm – a concert by jazz guitarist Jim Faulkner and a Flamenco Workshop in the Carole Nash Hall led by celebrated musician Miguel Pérez, who headlines the festival that evening with a setlist of traditional flamenco songs accompanied by highly regarded dancer Andrés Peña and singer Miguel Rosendo.

On Sun 21 May, Stuart McCallum hosts an insightful morning masterclass on pedals for electric guitarists, before a concert from Alexandra Whittingham, a jazz and blues masterclass by Saturday performer Jim Faulkner and Richard Durrant’s Music for Midsummer at 3pm, which includes ukelele renditions of Bach, Durrant’s original pieces for guitar and ‘choice moments from the classical/acoustic repertoire’. At 7.30pm, Manchester’s own ‘dynamic and innovative’ Aquarelle Guitar Quartet closes the festival with an eclectic programme of works including Carlos Raphael Rivera’s Cumba Quin, Ennio Morricone’s Cinema Paradiso and Paulo Bellinatti’s A Furiosa.

Taking place across Saturday and Sunday, Manchester Guitar Festival’s child-friendly schedule includes Stoller Story Sounds: Little Green Dragon – an immersive performance for ages 3-5 in which artists Carla, Lizzie and Espiritu Flamenco lead the audience on a journey of musical fire to help the dragon rediscover her courage – as well as an all-abilities Guitar Choir for ages 8-16, in which beginners and advanced players alike can meet fellow young players and explore their craft, followed by a free Guitar Academy Day for ages 9-17 led by Chetham’s School of Music, comprising a full day of masterclasses, ensemble playing and group discussions.

To book a full weekend ticket for Manchester Guitar Festival, click here.

Individual day tickets for Saturday and Sunday are also available.