Hughes and Malmsteen star at GuitarFest

Tue, 28 Jul 2009

Glenn Hughes showing off his skills live onstage at GuitarFest 2009

Billed as ‘the largest day of guitars on earth’, GuitarFest 2009 took place on 11 July 2009 at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (UK). Run by the retailer PMT, whose guitar-toting credentials are underlined by the massive ‘wall of guitars’ in the chain’s Birmingham store, GuitarFest featured a host of star performers on stage plus the chance to pick up a deal at the accompanying exhibition.

GuitarFest 2009 was part of a three-day show, also encompassing the National Rock & Pop Festival and DrumFest 2009, which attracted an audience of over around 5,000. Artist performances ran throughout the day, starting with Sarah Jory (Van Morrison) and continuing with Jerry Donoghue (Yardbirds), Doug Wimbish (Living Colour), Stone Gods and Jennifer Batten (the late Michael Jackson). Top of the bill, and playing to packed out audiences, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), followed by Yngwie Malmsteen, closed out the day. And LickLibrary was there to capture exclusive footage and interviews.



Jennifer Batten wowed the crowds with her playing.

While PMT’s Craig Glover believes the performances (a snip at £15 for an all-day ticket) were the main draw, the visitors, ranging in age from 8 to 68, were also on the hunt for bargains in the gear hall, where brands including Vox, Ibanez, Dean, Marshall, Yamaha, Boss, Blackstar, Washburn, Peavey, Musicman, Mesa Boogie, Martin, Digitech and Fender wereon display.