Day 1
Photos: Christian Gaier, Joris Henke
2023 Guitar Summit, Europe’s biggest guitar show, went into its fifth year! And this first small anniversary was sweetened by an incredible rush of visitors on the very first day – thank you all! And not only the joy is bigger than ever, also the exhibition shines with a record number of brands. This shows why the Guitar Summit is always worth the trip: The variety, quality and sheer quantity of products, including guitars, basses, amps, pedals and accessories, can not be represented online at all – you have to experience it live!
The Guitar Summit 2024 will take place from September 27 – 29. The presale has started, so take the opportunity and get one of the coveted Early Bird tickets. But hurry up, the Early Bird tickets are only available until 31.12.2023!
>>> Get your ticket for 2024 <<<
The four levels quickly filled with guitar enthusiasts on a journey of discovery – and up close and personal with the latest products. This year, many manufacturers presented exclusive world novelties at the Guitar Summit.
And in the supporting program, too, one highlight followed the next. Whether in the popular workshops, exclusive masterclasses or in live talks on the studio sofa – already on Friday you could experience some top-class musicians up close.
Workshops & Masterclasses
The virtuoso jazz guitarist Joscho Stephan taught the basics of rhythm guitar in his masterclass, but also more complex topics such as strumming technique, fingerings, improvisation or ear training.
Martin Miller rocked the Mozart Hall last year, this year he held a masterclass on improvisation, technique and phrasing.
Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher not only gave a sold-out masterclass at the Guitar Summit. He also gave interesting insights into life and work as a metal star in his workshop – and that for free! In addition, he took a seat on the “Studiosofa” with the colleagues from Sound&Recording. The whole thing was streamed live – like so many exciting and instructive workshops on the Sound&Recording stage. Of course you can watch it again 🤘 Yeah!
Day 2
Besides true music legends like Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, The Dead Daisies) or Doug Wimbish (Living Colour) and rousing live performers like Greg Koch or Martin Miller, refreshing artists of the younger generation inspired you in the workshops and concerts, among them Alexandr Misko, Lari Basilio, Funky Times or Mateus Asato.
Once again, the countless guitars, basses, amps and effects units in our exhibition provided for enthusiasm and the infamous “want to have” feeling. The Guitar Summit offers everything the scene has to offer on four floors – a microcosm for music lovers!
The exhibitors were extremely innovative this year. In addition to world premieres, there were several brand-new series to discover, but of course also tried-and-true gear classics and impressive one-offs.
Workshops & Masterclasses
Living Color bassist Doug Wimbish rocked the Bass Stage with impressive enthusiasm. But also his gigantic pedalboard left an impression.
Not only was Doug a real enrichment when it came to playing, he was also able to talk about music production and the music industry. In an exclusive masterclass on Sunday he shows his personal techniques and playing styles for funk, rap, rock, reggae, blues, dance and jazz – this man lives bass.
The one and only “Gristlemaster” Greg Koch gave us the holy trinity of workshop, masterclass and live concert on Saturday: Nothing more is possible. Greg is a real player and convinced in all these formats with fat licks and bold guitar tricks – a wild ride through genres like blues, country, funk and jazz – always characterized by his wonderfully honest rock sound!
The likeable and technically brilliant Brazilian guitarist Lari Basilio already opened guitar clinics by Paul Gilbert and Andy Timmons. She was invited by Joe Satriani to join the G4 Experience. So it’s no wonder that her workshop at Guitar Summit also drew visitors in droves.
Rich in ideas and stylistically broadly positioned, she succeeded in putting together an inspiring and entertaining workshop. Afterwards she took time for her fans.
Yvette Young was just as open for selfies and nice exchanges of words. In general, fans had the opportunity to get an autograph after the workshops and at some of the booths this year – unforgettable moments!
Further workshop highlights on the numerous stages were provided by Vincen Garcia, Manuel Gardner-Fernandes & David Levy, Nick Johnston, Sophie Chassée & Victor Tugores, Alexandr Misko, Plini and many more …
Saturday Night in Concert
Saturday started with acoustic sounds. Andrea Valeri delivered a diverse program from indie to rock to country and pop in fingerstyle garb.
Alexandr Misko then exploited the possibilities of the acoustic guitar in an unprecedented way, making for a particularly spectacular performance.
Tight, tighter, Funky Times! Winking in 80ies style, and wrapped in finest balloon silk, the young band fired off a furious funk firework. Always perfectly performed and coordinated guitar licks, wonderfully grooving basslines, virtuoso keyboard solos and a drummer like a bank … this band has set its sights on a good mood – and delivers!
Together with his son Dylan Koch on drums and Toby Lee Marshall on organ, the “Gristle King” Greg Koch delivered a show to remember: Tasteful blues paired with cheeky drum rhythms, garnished with virtuoso Hammond runs, creamy guitar solos and a tone to die for – the Koch Marshall Trio literally brought the hall to a boil. 😉
Doug Wimbish joined as a surprise guest.
The finale of the evening was provided by Martin Miller, who took the audience on a musical journey through the decades with his session band.
As top-class surprise guests he brought Mateus Asato, Plini, Doug Aldrich, Lari Basilio, Vincen Garcia and Thomas Blug on stage.
The colleagues from Sound&Recording provided a lot of content: Live streams with the stars of this year’s Guitar Summit were produced in a relaxed atmosphere on the “studio sofa” and were as relaxed as they were informative. Doug Aldrich, Martin Miller, Sophie Chassée, Alexandr Misko, Greg Koch and Lari Basilio took their seats. Those who wanted to take away concentrated knowledge listened to Kristian Kohle, who talked about how to achieve a fat metal sound in the studio, or Max Power, who revealed useful practical tips on band recording in the rehearsal room.
Day 3
On Sunday, the Guitar Summit turned into the home stretch, but the stream of visitors did not stop. Never before on a Sunday morning were so many music enthusiasts eagerly waiting on the forecourt of the Rosengarten to be admitted.
To shorten the waiting time, a 17-member guitar orchestra aged 5 to 21, with members from Germany, Ukraine and Russia, played in the best weather.
This year, Sunday was also dedicated to the youngsters. The Family Special offered fantastic activities for children: The “Play Circles” from Yamaha and Baton Rouge Guitars offered the little ones the opportunity to try out various instruments under child-friendly guidance. Early practice is the key to becoming a rock star!
A popular fun is also always the children’s face painting.
The dino band Heavysaurus is also very popular with the kids. Like last year, the prehistoric rock giants welcomed their little fans to the Meet & Greet, causing wide eyes and beaming children’s smiles.
During a dino rally, children were able to discover dino displays on all four floors and pick up stamps to win instruments and merch from Heavysaurus.
Later, the Dinos took the stage in the Mozartsaal and got not only the young audience fired up, which, by the way, really freaked out. The humorous rock show was, like last year, great fun for young and old.
And thanks to the musical class of the Saurians, not only children, parents and grandparents could agree on Heavysaurus – even outsiders couldn’t help but grin and headbang.
The likeable singer-songwriter Gregor Meyle, known from “Sing meinen Song,” also performed on Sunday with his band.
Workshops
Ex-Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich was still on stage on Saturday as a surprise guest and was celebrated frenetically. On Sunday he offered a workshop in cooperation with Blackstar Ampflification and raved that the Guitar Summit was “one of the best guitar festivals in the world and every other festival can take an example from that”.
Studio legend Peter Weihe’s workshop was bursting at the seams.
The guitarist, producer and composer can draw from a wealth of experience that is unparalleled in Germany and internationally. His wisdom no one wanted to miss.
That was Guitar Summit 2023 – we are beside ourselves with joy and gratitude! A big thank you from the entire Guitar Summit team to everyone who attended this incredible event and made it an unforgettable experience.
The response and enthusiasm from you guys was breathtaking. This year we were able to set another attendance record with around 11300 music enthusiasts attending the Guitar Summit.
The Guitar Summit 2024 will take place from September 27 – 29. The presale has started, so take the opportunity and get one of the coveted Early Bird tickets. But hurry up, the Early Bird tickets are only available until 31.12.2023!