Ards and North Down Borough Council has announced its 2023 Ards International Guitar Festival programme. The beloved festival is due to take place from April 19th-23rd.

Now in its 27th year, the festival continues to celebrate the most popular instrument in town saturated in the guitar’s tradition, and will be the setting to bring together some of Ireland and the UK’s best guitar players, along with those visiting from around the world.

The line-up this year, assembled by guest programmer Anthony Toner, will feature talent from home and abroad, including performers from Germany, the Netherlands, and Iran. Live gigs, guitar clinics and interviews will all take place at this year’s International Guitar Festival.

Neil Ó Briain and Paul McMordie will open the festival on Wednesday, April 19th at The Web Theatre, Newtownards, performing live, original and new scores to silent movie favourites at the ‘Comedy Classic Soundtracks’ event.

Brian Keenan

The following day, The Aquarelle Guitar Quartet will present Cinema Paradiso at The Web Theatre, celebrating music from films such as Chocolat, The Piano and Schindler’s List. The Aquarelle Guitar Quartet is revered for its spectacular performances and expansive repertoire. Having been established in 1999 at the Royal Northern College of Music, the quartet has performed in some of the UK and Europe’s major concert halls, as well as having studied alongside renowned guitarists like Sérgio Assad, Oscar Ghiglia and Scott Tennant.

Saturday, April 22nd will see the Belfast-born Dom Martin and Band to play The Queen’s Hall. The multi-award-winning artist is inspired by, but not limited to the blues. He exploded onto the music scene in 2019 with his unique guitar style and voice. Comparable to John Martyn or Rory Gallagher, his natural and organic skill on the acoustic guitar has won over audiences' hearts around the world.

An all-female line-up will take to the stage in The Queen’s Hall on Friday 21 April comprised of Karlijn Langendijk, Judith Beckedorf and Sophie Chasée. Hailing from the Netherlands and Germany, this concert is a one-off exhibition of some of Europe’s most talented female guitarists.

Other highlights not to be missed include Jim Mullen Trio in Concert- one of the UK’s finest jazz guitarists on April 21st, and broadcaster Ralph McLean turning audiences’ attentions to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumour’s in Ards Arts Centre on Sunday 23rd April. A conversation between guitar manufacturing legend George Lowden and his son Aaron will take place with McLean on Saturday, April 22nd.

The Weekend Wind Down for this year’s festival is to happen in Falls’ Bar with Rodney Branigan. Learning to play guitar in Austin, honing his craft in Nashville, and putting it all together in London, Rodney will be supported by 19- year-old musician from Belfast, Ben Cutler.

Councillor Karen Douglas, The Mayor of Ards and North Down said of the upcoming festival, “The Ards Guitar Festival has always been renowned for bringing guitar talent from all around the world to Newtownards and this year is no different. I am delighted to welcome the festival back for its 27th year. The programme looks fantastic, and I would encourage everyone to get their tickets and come along and support the events.”

Adding to this, Ards Guitar Festival Director, Emily Crawford said, “We have a great line up in store for you this year at venues across Newtownards with Jazz, blues, bluegrass, classical and world music to be experienced. We are particularly excited to welcome back the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet and to introduce the legendary Dom Martin to the stage for the first time, we’ve been patiently waiting for this one since 2020!”

Remaining tickets can still be purchased here.