26 May 2010 - 0 Comments

Festival to include concerts, clinics and more

After many months of working to secure an assembly of some of the most respected artists in the world, the New Plymouth District Council in conjunction with American event & concert promoter GMS Group, Inc. is proud to announce the full line up of events and concerts that make up the G-TARanaki 2010 International Music Week, 11–15 August.  The five-day festival will be held in multiple venues in New Plymouth with concerts, clinics, forums and an exhibition, many of which have never been presented anywhere else in the world. 

Performers

Slash – The ex-Guns N’ Roses axeman needs no introduction.  His legend precedes him.  His new solo album has caused a major sensation and topped the NZ charts upon its release.  Slash will be joined by AlterBridge frontman Myles Kennedy, bassist Todd Kerns (Sin City Sinners, Static in Stereo, Age of Electric), rhythm guitarist Bobby Schneck (Weezer, Green Day) and drummer Brent Fitz (Alice Cooper, Vince Neil).

Uli Jon Roth – The ex-Scorpions and G3 player (with Joe Satriani and Michael Schenker) was one of the highlights of G-TARanaki 2008.  The classically trained German rock guitarist will be returning in 2010 with his SkyAcademy workshops and master classes, as well as leading an all-star jam at the Friday night concert.  Uli’s backing band will include drummer Mike Ehré, guitarist/vocalist Niklas Turmann, who both performed with Roth at G-TARanaki 2008; and Elliott Rubinson, owner of American manufacturer Dean Guitars, on bass.

Jennifer Batten - Former lead guitarist for Michael Jackson on three world tours, also renowned for her collaboration with Jeff Beck.  Author of two music books, with three solo albums, Batten’s innovative playing crosses genres, from rock, metal, funk and fusion, to world music and electronica.

Vinnie Moore – Discovered via a demo tape he sent to Guitar Player magazine, Vinnie Moore went on to become one of the most influential shredders of the ‘80s.  In addition to his solo career, Moore has toured and recorded with Alice Cooper and is currently a member of UFO, playing on three albums to date and one live DVD. 

Hail! – A perpetually evolving Heavy Metal supergroup founded by vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest, Beyond Fear, Yngwie Malmsteen), Hail! has assembled a stellar line-up for their G-TARanaki appearance with Scott Travis of Judas Priest on drums; Scott MacAlpine (formerly of Steve Vai’s band) on lead guitar and keyboards and Tony Franklin (formerly of The Firm w/Jimmy Page, Blue Murder and Quiet Riot) on bass.

Leslie West – The legendary guitarist from Mountain, West has recorded or played with a litany of rock icons including Billy Joel, Van Halen, The Who, Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix.  In fact, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Schenker and Richie Sambora have all cited Leslie as an important influence on their own music.

California Guitar Trio - With a whirlwind of instrumental styles fusing classical, rock, blues, jazz, world music, progressive, as well as the quintessential California musical genre surf music, the California Guitar Trio's stunning virtuosity and sly sense of humour have earned them an enthusiastic following. 

Tony Levin – Bass virtuoso Tony Levin, who has toured and recorded with Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon, played on John Lennon’s Double Fantasy album, has been a member of King Crimson since 1981 and is the world’s pre-eminent player of the unique ten-stringed Chapman Stick.  At G-TARanaki, Levin will be performing both solo and with the California Guitar Trio.

Guy Pratt – Best known as the man who took over bass duties with Pink Floyd after Roger Waters’ departure, Pratt has also played with countless top artists including Icehouse, Bryan Ferry, Robert Palmer, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Robbie Robertson, Coverdale Page and Gary Moore. In recent years, Pratt’s anecdotes from the road have gained him a second career in stand-up comedy. A book of his memoirs, My Bass And Other Animals, was published in 2007.

Oli Brown Band – Britain’s latest blues guitar prodigy.  Oli Brown’s 2008 debut album Open Road, released when he was just 19, got the attention of Mike Vernon, legendary producer of the John Mayall and Fleetwood Mac albums of the late 60’s. Vernon came out of retirement to produce Brown’s second album Heads I Win, Tails You Lose.

Desiree Bassett – Singing since the age of two and playing guitar at three, Desiree is a musical prodigy from New Haven, Connecticut.  Voted Talent America's Musician of the Year in 2005 and playing Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” at the Woodstock 40^th anniversary festival in 2009, she has released three CDs and performed alongside the likes of Jimmie Vaughan and Sammy Hagar.  And she’s still only 17!

The Checks – Formed at school in Takapuna in 2002, The Checks have grown into one of NZ’s most talked-about bands.  Relocating to London in 2006, they recorded their debut album Hunting Whales, produced by Ian Broudie and released through Sony.  They returned home last year to make their self-produced and distributed second album Alice By The Moon which garnered great reviews.  Earlier this year they landed the coveted opening slot for AD/DC’s NZ shows. 

In Dread Response – Auckland metal band In Dread Response have built a strong following from tours with 8 Foot Sativa.  Their debut album From The Oceanic Graves received a five-star review in Rip It Up, who described it as “a moody and very deep album filled with intense songs and brilliant arrangements. With a concise understanding of the art of dramatic melody and sweeping in and out of heaving crescendos, In Dead Response effortlessly build a wicked soundscape of huge proportions here. An outstanding release from a band that's going places."

Shotgun Alley – Whether you call it hard rock, cock rock, melodic rock, pop-metal, glam or sleaze, Shotgun Alley can be named one of New Zealand’s hottest rock bands to make their mark in the Kiwi music industry. Formed in January 2009, they have already supported Alice Cooper on his ‘Theatre of Death’ tour in Auckland and shared the stage with glam metal band Steel Panther in Los Angeles. Their dynamic sound is heavily influenced by late 80s-early 90s metal, drawing comparisons with Guns ‘N Roses, Mötley Crüe and Van Halen.

The Thomas Oliver Band - The Thomas Oliver Band plays a combination of blues, rock, country and roots music, with inflections of folk and alt-pop. Their fresh instrumentation, including lap-slide guitar, double bass and baritone saxophone, blends with Oliver’s compelling writing style to create a sound which is absolutely unique and unequalled in New Zealand.  In the space of four years, The TOB has played hundreds of shows across the country and supported The Black Seeds, The Phoenix Foundation, Pluto, dDub and Little Bushman, among others. As a soloist, Thomas Oliver has supported Eric Clapton, Jimmy Barnes and Tom Jones at the internationally renowned Mission Estate Concerts in Napier, to 30,000 people.

Kara Gordon Trio – Auckland guitarist Kara Gordon performed at G-TARanaki 2008 as part of Glenn Hughes’ band.  This year, the man described by Vernon Reid as “Jimi Hendrix reincarnated” returns to G-TARanaki with his own trio to kick off Friday’s Midnight Session.

Blue Monkey Racket – One of Taranaki’s top blues band have a growing reputation as a dynamic live act, both locally and nationally. Fronted by guitarist-vocalist Nic “Jellylegs” Boheimer, Blue Monkey Racket have performed at the National Jazz & Blues Festival in Tauranga, Parihaka Peace Festival and the Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival. In fact, the latter asked them back again this year but the opportunity to play at G-TARanaki’s Bell Street Blues Club Night proved too great.

PROGRAMME

Concerts at TSB Stadium

Friday 13 August

• The Checks
• Desiree Bassett
• Oli Brown Band
• California Guitar Trio with Tony Levin
• Uli Jon Roth All-Star Jam – with Leslie West, Vinnie Moore, Desiree Bassett and Jennifer Batten

Saturday 14 August

• Shotgun Alley
• In Dread Response
• Vinnie Moore
• Jennifer Batten
• Hail!
• Slash

Midnight Sessions at Puke Ariki

Thursday 12 August

• The Thomas Oliver Band
• Guy Pratt
• California Guitar Trio w/Tony Levin
• Oli Brown Band
• Desiree Bassett

Friday 13 August

• Kara Gordon Trio
• Leslie West
• Desiree Bassett
• Guy Pratt
• Vinnie Moore
• Tony Levin

Saturday 14 August

• Brian Hatcher Band
• Jennifer Batten
• Uli Jon Roth
• Hail!
• Slash

SkyAcademy

TSB Showplace, Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 August,1:30pm - 5:30pm

German guitar legend Uli Jon Roth will be returning to G-TARanaki this year to share more of his knowledge with music students at his renowned SkyAcademy.  The former Scorpions guitarist first established the SkyAcademy in May 2006 in Los Angeles. The programme held as part of G-TARanaki in 2008 was the first international SkyAcademy event. 

Roth uses workshops and master classes to inspire students to broaden their music horizons and develop their potential with demonstrations and focused tuition.  His unique approach is to steer the student towards mastery of the instrument by use of inspirational concepts, rather than specific technical exercises.  At the G-TARanakiSkyAcademy, Roth will be offering open workshops, followed by focussed master classes for students at a higher musical level. 

The SkyAcademy brings an outstanding calibre of talent and Roth is supported by a variety of international performers.  At this year’s G-TARanaki, guest performers will include drummer Mike Ehré and guitarist/vocalist Niklas Turmann, who both performed with Roth at G-TARanaki 2008 and are members of his touring band Sky of Avalon; plus Elliott Rubinson, owner of American guitar manufacturer Dean Guitars and a skilled bass player in his own right.

Students from Taranaki secondary schools will be invited to attend the workshops.

More information about audience registration for the SkyAcademy will be provided soon.

Youth Rock

TSB Showplace, Thursday 12 August, 6.00pm-9:30pm

• Desiree Bassett – US teen guitar prodigy
• Sophia Di – shredder from Christchurch band Beneath the Silence
• No Quarter - Taranaki metal band fronted by guitarist Michael Muggeridge
• West CoastSchool of Rock – students from Taranaki’s own rock school

Youth Steering Group

A dynamic group of guys and gals who are passionate about the music industry. These young people are the future movers and shakers of the profession and they are advising the project team on the kiwi music component, putting on their own gig and hosting a clinic at TSB Showplace.

Bell Street

Blues Club Night

Puke Ariki, Thursday 12 August, 6:30pm-9:30pm

• Blue Monkey Racket
• The Thomas Oliver Band
• Oli Brown Band

Forums & Clinics

Forums – A series of free discussion forums will take place at Puke Ariki on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 August, including: 

• Kristan Burnnad,a Graduate of the Wellington Conservatorium of Music who has worked in New York, will be holding two forums on creative improvisation and composition. 
• Tony Levin will discuss his career working with the likes of King Crimson, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel and John Lennon
• Scott Schorr from Lazy Bones Recordings talks about music production.

Clinics - G-TARanaki presents a series of performance-based tuition experiences to audiences in the form of G-TAR Clinics covering:

• Luthiery with Adrian Hamilton
• Shredding with In Dread Response
• Jazz and blues guitar with Ross Halliday
• Bass guitar with Elliott Rubinson
• An orchestral clinic with Dominique Blatti
• California Guitar Trio hosting their own guitar clinic
• A live band performance clinic presented by G-TARanaki’s Youth Steering Group
• Plus clinics on amplifiers, home recording, marketing and promotion. 

Exhibition

The enduring love affair with the guitar will be explored in the G-TARanaki Guitar Exhibition. Bringing together over 70 rare, unique and famous guitars, the exhibition will showcase the best of a number of local and national guitar collections and the latest technology from event partner MusicWorks.

Ticket Pre-Sale

An exclusive ticket pre-sale will be available to subscribers who sign up for our newsletter at www.gtaranaki.co.nz from Friday 28 May.  Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday 31 May.

Visit www.gtaranaki.co.nz for full information about G-TARanaki and sign up to receive the latest information via e-newsletters.  The site also provides links for following G-TARanaki on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks to www.gtaranaki.co.nz for this story.

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