Make tracks to guitar heaven Gibson Garage London and its special festival

Gibson Garage Fest Week launches on Tuesday, February 18 and will run to Monday February 24 in Gibson’s first flagship store outside the US that’s set just off the capital’s Oxford Street (61-62 Eastcastle St) Gibson Garage London

Among the highlights is Gibson’s partnership with the world-renowned musician, songwriter and guitarist, Johnny Marr and the limited release of 20 Gibson ’84 Les Paul Standard with Bigsby, Signed by Johnny Marr guitars. Each one will be available exclusively at the Garage starting at 11am on Friday, February 21 until stocks last. All profits from the sale of the Gibson Johnny Marr guitars will be donated by Johnny Marr and Gibson to support the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.

The model became Marr’s go-to guitar and was used extensively in both live performances and recording sessions with The Smiths, as well as during his time as a member of The The, The Pretenders, The Cribs, as well as his work with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Each of these 20 Gibson ’84 Les Paul Standard with Bigsby guitars have been created through Gibson’s Made-to-Measure programme.

The Fest will also feature a one-time only display of the legendary Cream bassist Jack Bruce’s EB-1 Violin Bass and an all-day Acoustic Festival. Now part of the London music community with a live stage featuring performances and special events from music icons and emerging artists on any given day, the Gibson Garage London has become an essential place to experience and explore live music through Gibson instruments, sound, art, and apparel.

From Thursday February 20 visitors can get up close to an exclusive display of legendary Jack Bruce’s EB-1 Violin Bass guitar. On the evening of Thursday February 20 ‘Jam For Jack’ will feature live performances from Mark King, Phil Manzanera, Gary Husband, Jack Bruce’s Big Blues Band, Art Themen, Liam Bailey, Aruba Red, Kyla Simone Bruce, Marlee King and Nandi. For tickets for ‘Jam For Jack’ visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jam-for-jack-tickets-1219475757819 with proceeds going to the Jack Bruce Foundation which supports young people facing barriers accessing music education.

On Saturday February 22, Gibson Garage will host a full day of intimate, live music performances and experiences, as part of an all-day acoustic festival, with sets from Midlands singer-songwriter and poet Campbell King, soulful Jasper Hodges, uncompromising alternative artist Rachel Croft, British pop-rock band The Wild Things (fronted by actor Sydney Rae White), rising British indie star Seb Lowe, former ‘The Voice’ finalist Lloren and singer-songwriter Ben Ellis. The live performances are open to the public and will run between noon until 6.30pm.

Originally opened by rock royalty Jimmy Page, Sir Brian May, and Tony Iommi, “we are excited to celebrate the first anniversary of the Gibson Garage London,” says Cesar Gueikian, Gibson president and chief executive. “The Garage was designed to be a part of the local music community, and has had an extraordinary impact on the music scene, becoming a global music destination. London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities and influential musical ecosystems in the world, and with Gibson Garage Fest, we look forward to a week of celebration for all music fans!”

Speaking about Jack Bruce’s EB-1 bass display, his family said: “We are very excited to be collaborating with the Gibson Garage Fest to celebrate Jack’s incredible legacy and to aid the new Foundation, with the display and ‘Jam For Jack’. It will be wonderful for Jack’s fans to be able to view his iconic EB-1 violin bass in exhibition. This bass guitar has always been on display at the family home, it meant a great deal to him and remains one of our most beloved of Jack’s treasures.”

If you love music and revere the craft that it takes to make an instrument, the Garage is always worth a visit. Featuring 4,000 square feet of retail space, visitors can plug in and play more than 300 electric and acoustic guitars across Gibson, Gibson Custom, Gibson Acoustic, Epiphone, and Kramer, explore the entire collection of Maestro pedals, MESA/Boogie and Gibson amplifiers, and more.

Music lovers can design their own Made-to-Measure guitar inside the Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab by selecting a one-of-a-kind guitar top off the wall and choosing the specs inside and out. The Gibson Garage London offers a special, dedicated Acoustic guitar room and also has areas for Epiphone electric, acoustic and bass guitars, and the biggest display of Kramer guitars in the UK.

Open daily Monday – Friday from 11:00-7:00 pm, Saturday 10:00-7.00 pm and from 12:00-6:00 pm on Sunday. For the latest news and updates on the Gibson Garage London, follow @GibsonGuitarUK on Instagram.

Fest schedule: From Thursday 20th February (for four weeks)

Jack Bruce EB-1 Violin Bass on display – between opening hours

Thursday 20th February 7-10pm

‘Jam For Jack’ – evening event in aid of the Jack Bruce Foundation. Tickets here.

Saturday 22nd February

All Day Acoustic Festival: 12:00 – 12:30 – Campbell King, 1:00 – 1:30 – Jasper Hodges, 2:00 – 2:30 – Rachel Croft, 3:00 – 3:30 – The Wild Things, 4:00 – 4:30 – Seb Lowe, 5:00 – 5:30 – Lloren, 6:00 – 6:30 – Ben Ellis