John Gregory takes a personal look back at a truly fantastic event which was organised by Jonno Gollow of JonnoPromotions.

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AS I write this I am still buzzing about so many fantastic musical memories of GuitarFest.

The extravaganza was supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council and there is no doubt it is something music lovers and guitarists will remember for a long time.

The opening night, Thursday, was kicked off in style by the ever professional The GASP.

Steve Parry, Paul Kinrade, Mike Reaney and Jonny Peacock had the honour of being the first ever act at the first ever GuitarFest and the Freemasons' Hall, Douglas, was the first ever venue!

All well known and respected local musicians they played a series of top covers and put on a polished performance.

The Steve Gibbons Band were the first headliners of the festival and Steve brought over the 'classic' line-up of his band featuring Brendan Day (drums), PJ Wright (guitar) and Roger Inniss (bass).

Steve has a massive fan base in the Island and the hall was packed out.
Roger was a sensation on the bass guitar while Steve performed rock and roll classics and Bob Dylan songs among others.

There is no denying that Dylan has had a huge influence on Steve Gibbons and it was announced during a break, by Chris McGahan, that Steve would be returning to the Island this November with The Dylan Project.

Fans of the enigmatic Dylan will be in paradise at the gig which takes place in the Promenade Suite, Villa Marina, on November 15, tickets are available now from 694555.

Jonno said: 'The Steve Gibbons "Classic" Band gig was a sell-out, as I had expected it would be, although I was still getting calls on the day asking for tickets. The GASP were the perfect support band for this event and I was thrilled to have them as part of the GuitarFest.'

On Friday flamenco legend Juan Martin headlined a concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.

I was unable to attend this performance as I was off the Island but I certainly missed a treat.

Jonno said: 'Friday was probably the "hardcore" guitar night – with young guitarists Liam Carter-Hawkins and Stepan Podobsky opening the evening, alternating solo pieces and playing a pair of duets to finish.

'They acquitted themselves brilliantly and gave the audience half an hour of splendid guitar playing – received with rapturous applause.

'Their set included original works of high quality and Carulli's Rondo was very well played and very well received. A classical debut that they and the audience will remember for a long time.

'Michael Berk (who was also on the bill) couldn't resist prefacing his set with the immortal line (in front of the Lieutenant Governor, Lady Haddacks, President of Tynwald Noel Cringle and Mrs Mary Cringle and Chief Minister Tony Brown) "I've played some crapholes in my time – and this isn't one of them".

'Michael played out of his skin – his set included his classic renditions of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and finishing with Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry.

'He also played a number of tracks from his new album F.A.R, which features photography from Manx music photographer Adrian Cowin.

'Michael's set was a perfect counterpoint to the main event of the evening.

'Juan Martin played a set of classic flamenco tunes – a broad range of pieces exemplifying the breadth of his art. He played just over an hour of music straight through, receiving hearty applause for each piece, which he stood to acknowledge with a bow and he received an ovation at the end of the show.

'Juan explained the different styles as he was going through the concert so it was educational as well as entertaining. At the end of the show, he handed away his guitar into the wings – returning to the stage to acknowledge the applause – and leaving the stage for the last time with a series of flamenco steps, which received renewed applause.

'After the show, Juan mentioned to me how impressed he was with Liam and Stepan's rendition of the Carulli Rondo – which he heard from within his dressing room.

'He also noted that he thought he had made some new friends here on the Isle of Man – which he clearly has since I received an email late on Friday night thanking me for a "memorable and enjoyable evening" – I couldn't have put it better myself.'

On Saturday afternoon there were workshops by Juan Martin and acoustic guitar genius Clive Carroll.

Liam and Stepan attended both workshops – even though Stepan was due on stage for soundcheck at 6pm as he was due to make his second appearance at GuitarFest.

I was back that evening and what an evening it turned out to be. It was a perfect night.

Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes were in action at the Gaiety and the evening started with a superb performance by local favourites Stone Creation.

While a big fan of the band – consisting of Dave Cain (vocals/lead guitar), Joe Carter-Hawkins (vocals/lead guitar), Stepan Podobsky (bass guitar/lead guitar), Jonny Tonks (drums) – I had not seen them live for a while and they have really developed their own sound and I was very impressed by the strength of their original material.

They put on an excellent performance but they still hadn't forgotten their blues rock roots, ending with a great version of The Thrill is Gone.

Most of the lads are heading off to university so it may be the last time we see them for a while.

It was fitting that they got to play on the Gaiety stage once again as they are without a doubt some of the Island's finest young musicians.

A funny thing had happened before the start of the show. I was standing outside the Gaiety and Clive Carroll arrived. He said I looked familiar – I had interviewed him in person when he was last in the Island – and we began talking.

He told me he had forgotten his ticket and could I get him in the venue! This was an unbelieveable coincidence as I knew he was due to be sharing a box with me and so I got him into the Gaiety! But while Clive is a down-to-earth bloke, his guitar playing is out of this world and after the interval he performed two numbers on the Gaiety stage to plug his show at Peel Centenary Centre the following night.

His great sense of humour was in full force too – when Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes were announced there was initially no sign of them. So Clive reappeared with a brush and swept the back of the stage!

Shortly afterwards the band did appear and put on a blistering performance, with Albert able to vary from his unbelievable guitar playing to performing heart-breaking ballads on a keyboard.

The entire band was superb and, after the performance, everyone was truly raving about what they had just seen. There were many tracks from the band's latest album Like This, including Can Your Grandpa Rock and Roll Like This?, Breathless and Rad Gumbo.

They also performed the classic Tiger Rag and Albert's own legendary virtuoso guitar piece Country Boy among many others.

It wasn't just Albert's utterly stunning guitar playing which was amazing but the entire night from start to finish – from the first note performed by Stone Creation to the standing ovation at the end of Albert's set.

On Sunday afternoon Albert's fans were in for an extra treat when he gave a guitar clinic at the South Douglas Old Friends' Association.

Albert spoke about his fascinating career and the many great musicians he has played with over the years and played guitar too so fans had the chance to see his technique up close. Everyone was captivated.
Sunday night was sadly the final night of the festival but what a way to finish.

Clive Carroll topped the bill at Peel Centenary Centre and the virtuoso guitarist was simply stunning, telling funny stories and playing a wide range of music – everything from Johnny Cash to lute music from hundreds of years ago!

He truly is one of the best players in the world.

Starting off the evening were Paul Rodgers of Skeeal and Matt Kelly of King Chiaullee. Using guitars and mandolin they played some wonderful folk tunes which dazzled the audience. There couldn't have been a better way to start the evening.

Next up were the Yo-Yo Hearts consisting of guitarists and vocalists Mike Reaney and Steph Joyce, bass player Paul Kinrade and percussionist Shane Kerwin. It was guitarist Mike Reaney's and bass player Paul Kinrade's second appearance at the festival and there was a real contrast between this and their roles in The GASP. Some nice harmonies and acoustic guitars filled the Centenary Centre.

The effort Jonno Gollow put in to make this festival work was immense, but all his hard work and that of his team paid off and those that attended left every event with a smile on their face. There were visitors from Ireland and Norway.

He added: 'I'm absolutely thrilled and delighted with the event and the audience response to the first IoM GuitarFest!

'In spite of the number of competing events taking place this weekend, overall I was happy with the attendance. It is possible that the large event at the Villa reduced the potential audiences for both the Friday and Saturday night concerts.'

It was great to see Jonno joking around at the Clive Carroll gig – sweeping the stage behind him just like Clive had done the night before at the Gaiety.

Once I have recovered from the sheer pleasure of this one, I will certainly be counting down the days to GuitarFest 2009.