Sweetwater Sound’s next event is sneaking up on us faster than you can guess that chord! 

On Saturday, Aug. 10, Sweetwater will host the in-person GuitarFest with demonstrations and deals as well as brands and artists on hand. Scheduled guitarists include Andy Timmons, Bakithi Kumalo, Giacomo Tura, Greg Koch, Misha Mansoor, Tyler Bryant, Lari Basilio, Andy Wood, Sophie Burrell, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Although the event is free, you are encouraged to register online at sweetwater.com/guitarfest. By registering, you’ll be eligible for a $5,000 giveaway.

With the popular GearFest going online in 2020, Sweetwater wanted to bring back in-person festivals, which they did with DrumFest in May.

While there will be a lot going on behind the scenes with visiting content creators, GuitarFest gives people the opportunity to come and enjoy the festivities on campus and in store. 

Iconic brands and performers

So what will GuitarFest include? Not only will there be exclusive, one-day only deals, but you’ll also be able to demo the newest products on the market. 

If you’re a guitar lover and have always wanted to meet the faces behind the brands, look no further. This event is sponsored by some of the biggest names in the music world such as REVV, D’Addario, Fender, PRS, Friedman, Martin, and Ernie Ball. 

And what would a guitar celebration be without live music? 

YouTube sensations Sean Daniel and Døvydas will be doing pop-up performances, and, of course, some of your favorite guitarists will be there as well. 

Interaction

Whatzup spoke with Casey Cooper, professional content creator and Sweetwater’s marketing manager for content creators, about the motivation behind GuitarFest. 

“GuitarFest is a unique opportunity to provide our community an opportunity to interact and experience new and exciting gear, as well as interface with incredible guitarists and manufacturers face to face,” he said. 

“The goal of GuitarFest is to inspire and to give back to our guitarist and musician community. It is opportunities like this one that impact musicians greatly.”

Don Carr, one of the guitar-focused content creators for Sweetwater, is also excited about the event.

“It brings our community together through being a high-level example of a meeting place for folks with a common interest,” he said. “A well-done event like this has national implications, even if it is representing the specific niche of guitarists. 

“Everyone leaves with positive experiences and good things to say about the event, the location, and the people. They take that back to wherever they’re from. 

“I’m excited for all the different people being together. The artists and influencers, plus the designers and manufacturers, together at the same time, likely in combinations that wouldn’t happen anywhere else.

“The whole musical experience is about communication, and there’s no better way to communicate than in-person. Live music, hands-on with gear, face-to-face with artists and manufacturers — the strongest way to reinforce the music connection that binds us.”

Meet like-minded people

Since DrumFest was Sweetwater’s first attempt at an event catered toward one specific instrument, Sweetwater is hopeful that GuitarFest will be even better. 

After some online sleuthing, I found a couple raving reviews about DrumFest and how excited community members were to see an in-person event happening at Sweetwater again.