The inaugural Strings Attached Festival a standout success

Strings Attached: The West Australian Guitar Festival, received much acclaim and support as the unique South West festival wrapped up on Sunday 13 October. The event attracted close to 8,000 attendees across 27 stages and venues in and around Margaret River from 11-13 October.

Strings Attached: The West Australian Guitar Festival, received much acclaim and support as the unique South West festival wrapped up on Sunday 13 October. The event attracted close to 8,000 attendees across 27 stages and venues in and around Margaret River from 11-13 October. The inaugural festival received a swathe of positive reviews and feedback from attendees; notably Yorgos Bechlivanoglou, Director of "All That Guitar" festival in Greece, who said it was “an amazing, open minded, perfectly organized, highest level guitar festival, already from its first edition!" Strings Attached: The West Australian Guitar Festival showcased over 60 artists and featured 40+ workshops, masterclasses, Q&A’s and presentations across the weekend in a massive first year program.

Photograph: Isolated Photography

In addition to facilitating 20+ exhibitors of guitars, pedals, amps and more from around the country, a main highlight for event organisers was seeing over 4,000 people through the doors of the new Margaret River HEART cultural and entertainment venue in a huge opening weekend for the new world-class facility. The festival boasted an incredible line-up of international, national and local performers, all of whom entertained crowds all weekend. Standout moments included John Butler chatting and jamming with Lucky Oceans, luthiers letting wood chips fly in the main exhibition hall, and century old instruments adorning the walls of the festival hub.

Photograph: Lauren Trickett

Festival Director Dan White said “the festival team is extremely happy with the turnout for the first year’s program; it’s been a huge effort from over 70 staff and volunteers to bring the event to life and we are all really looking forward to building on this year’s result to better bring guitar players, makers and lovers together in Margaret River for an even more enjoyable and successful event next year.” Strings Attached: The West Australian Guitar Festival is set to return next year, with dates announced for 9th – 11th October, 2020. Applications open via the festival website in November for exhibitors and artists looking to participate in the 2020 edition of the festival.

Images: Courtesy of Strings Attached; Isolated Photography, Lauren Trickett

Music Festivals in WA