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Looking ahead to the Guiting Music Festival 2024

The 53rd Guiting Music Festival (GMF) which last year celebrated its highest attendance figures, is delighted to announce its exciting line-up for 2024.

Over 10 days from July 19-28, the Guiting Power Festival stage – which this year has been extended to accommodate bigger orchestras, - will play host to world renowned, international, European and UK artists. The Guiting Power Festival continues to grow its reputation as one of the leading music festivals in the Cotswolds, offering a superb eclectic mix of artists and genres of music.

On Friday July 26, the festival hosts one of the brightest young stars on the classical music scene, the cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who caught the world’s attention in May 2018 after performing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. He is accompanied by his equally talented violinist brother Braimah Kanneh-Mason, together with Plinio Fernandes on guitar and the 28-piece Fantasia Orchestra conducted by Tom Fetherstonhaugh. Their concert will take the audience on a musical journey spanning centuries, countries, and genres, ranging from folk to funk, Brahms to Bob Marley. Highlights include Dvorak's "Song to the Moon" and Chic's "Good Times," as well as innovative arrangements of music by Laura Muvla and Stevie Wonder.

Gracing the Guiting Power Festival stage on Saturday July 27, is one of the most enduring and popular artistes in Britain today, legendary multiple award-winning Scottish singer, songwriter, musician and actress Barbara Dickson. She will be performing an evening packed with many of her well-known and well-loved hit songs such as “I Know Him So Well”, “January February,” “Answer Me” and “Another Case in Another Hall”. Barbara will be accompanied by Nick Holland on keyboards and vocals.
Joe Stilgoe ‘A very British Harry Connick Jnr‘ The Times and his incredible band The Entertainers - the Ultimate Jazz Supergroup - launches the festival on Friday July 19. Featuring some of the great young UK jazz talent including Giacomo Smith and with harmonies to die for and musicianship to live for, it’s a show not to be missed.

Saturday sees the captivating singer and pianist Izo FitzRoy take to the stage with her unique 7-piece line up including gospel vocalists. With a rare combination of powerful vocals, honest song writing and dynamic live performances, Izo’s music is a unique and captivating blend of soul, gospel and blues.

Due to popular demand, piano-man extraordinaire Tom Seals - “He sounds like Little Richard” Tom Jones - makes a very welcome return. His virtuoso solo-ing, excellent improvisation skills and distinctive voice have left top industry officials hailing him the UK's finest boogie pianist/vocalist. This time at the Guiting Power Festival, he will be accompanied by his sextet for the ever- popular Sunday Jazz Open Air Day. Supporting is the alto saxophonist Allison Neale and her Quartet. Regarded as one of the finest exponents of the melodic West Coast style, the band will be recreating the pairing of Paul Desmond (Dave Brubeck Quartet) and American jazz guitarist Jim Hall (Sonny Rollins)

The Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita - nicknamed ‘the Hendrix of the Kora’ - and his Sengalen 8-piece Homeland band, make the trip to the Guiting Power Festival on Monday July 22. The kora is backed with the dynamic, uplifting and at times hypnotic rhythms of bass, percussion, drums, keyboard and extraordinary vocals, that lift the audience to its feet and leave it buzzing!

Starting the Guiting Power Festival classical programme on Tuesday July 23, is Ukrainian born pianist Vitaly Pisarenko. A Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music, London, he will be performing music by Schumann, Franz Liszt, Sergei Prokofiev and Maurice Ravel.

The stunning musical partnership of violinist Alena Baeva and pianist Vadym Kholodenko perform on Wednesday July 24. Alena has been described as one of the most exciting and versatile soloists on the world stage today, whilst Kholodenko’s recordings have been described as ‘Truly outstanding’ Gramophone Magazine

Thursday July 25 sees Fretwork Viol Consort with the award-winning, BBC New Generation artist mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, perform music by Michael Nyman & Henry Purcell

The Guiting Power Festival ends on Sunday July 28 with the not to be missed Sunday Blues Open Air Day, which this year features the multi-award-winning Blues singer Elles Bailey accompanied by her 5-piece Blues band. With her smokey, rootsy, blues, country and soulful voice, she has been described as a heady blend of Stevie Nicks and Dusty Springfield.

Supporting Elles, is the legendary Bluesman Errol Linton and his exceptional band ‘The Greatest British Blues Performing Artist’ – Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio. His London shows are legendary and he has become a favourite at festivals worldwide.

“Following the success of our 2023 Festival, we are delighted to be bringing another amazing programme of top-quality artists to The Guiting Music Festival” says Probyn Miers, Chair of Guiting Music Festival. “Our festival is unique in offering 10 days of a wide and diverse selection of spectacular music in a beautiful and special setting”.

Not only does the festival offer the best music, there is also a selection of local seasonal food on offer as well as fine wines, beers and soft drinks at all the shows. Great music, delicious food and in the loveliest of surroundings – a perfect music festival!

GUITING MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE UP 2024

10 days of great live music in the heart of the Cotswolds!

July 19 Joe Stilgoe and The Entertainers
July 20 Izo FitzRoy
July 21 Allison Neale (12.30pm – 2pm) - Tom Seals Sextet. (2.30pm – 4pm)
July 22 Seckou Keita Homeland Band
July 23 Vitaly Pisarenko, pianist
July 24 Alena Baeva, violin with Vadym Kholodenko,
July 25 Fretwork Viol Consort with Mezzo-Soprano Helen Charlston
July 26 Sheku & Braimah Kanneh-Mason & Plinio Fernandes & the Fantasia Orchestra
July 27 Barbara Dickson with Nick Holland
July 28 Errol Linton (12.30pm – 2pm) - Elles Bailey (2.30pm-4pm)

Show times: Monday – Saturday 6.30pm.
Sunday from 12.30pm
Saturday July 20 show starts at 7.30pm
Ticket prices: All shows £30 except July 26 £45. 00

Venue: Guiting Music Festival, Guiting Power, Glos. GL54 5TX
(10 miles West of Stow on the Wold and 4 miles SE of Winchcombe).

Explore Gloucestershire
16 April 2024

For further information.