FESTIVAL LINE-UP
PENNINE GUITAR FESTIVAL SCHEDULE AND BOOKING
CRAIG OGDEN
Sunday afternoon 28th September
Described by BBC Music Magazine as “A worthy successor to Julian Bream”, Australian born guitarist. Craig Ogden is one of the most exciting artists of his generation. Craig Ogden has performed concertos with many of the world’s leading orchestras and is the most sought-after guitarist for chamber music in the UK. He regularly appears as soloist and chamber musician at major venues and collaborates with the UK’s top artists and ensembles.
STEVE TILSTON
Friday evening 26th September
From the release of his legendary 1971 album, An Acoustic Confusion, to the present day Steve is one of our most celebrated songsmiths, widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music; his words, arrangements and subtle, quite superb guitar playing could be no one else.
ADRIAN INGRAM
Saturday afternoon 27th September
Adrian is widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities on jazz guitar and one of Europe’s leading jazz guitarists. His illustrious career in music education, composition and jazz performance has spanned six decades. He has appeared many times on BBC radio and television as a jazz soloist. He features regularly at jazz festivals throughout the UK and Europe.
MOLLY TILSTON
Friday evening 26th September
Molly captivates audiences with the spellbinding honesty of her singing and uncompromising drive of her guitar playing. Her creative genius shines through in her very personal songwriting and reinvention of the old songs. In an exciting collaboration Molly is joined by Vernon Bigsby a leading exponent of gypsy jazz guitar and a colourful improviser.
JON COLEY
Friday evening 26th September
Jon is influenced by performers such as Nick Drake, Neil Young, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Sam Cooke, Bert Jansch, Wizz Jones, classic blues and especially the music of John Martyn. Jon released his Mercury nominated album If All I Ever Wanted Was All I Ever Needed to critical acclaim in 2021. Michael Chapman, called him “guitarist extraordinaire” and Ralph McTell said, “I hear echoes of old friends in his playing”.
REBECCA SPOONER
Saturday 27th September
Rebecca is a Todmorden-based singersongwriter and producer. She writes and performs original songs focusing on themes of growing up in modern society. Rebecca released her first single, All My Mates are Sad, in January 2025. Her second single “If I Had a Daughter” was shortlisted for the Tune Into Nature Music Prize 2025. Rebecca is definitely one to watch as a rising young talent.
VMBRA
Saturday evening 27th September
Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of bands including Porcupine Tree, Haken, The Dear Hunter, Karnivool and Leprous, Vmbra combine elements of progressive rock and metal. This year they have released their latest single ‘Money Tree’. In May Vmbra were winners of the Metal to the Masses competition Manchester 2025. They are playing at the massive Bloodstock Festival this summer.
LILY RAE GRANT
Saturday evening 27th September
Lily Rae is a rising star of the Manchester indie scene, recently thrilling audiences at Band on the Wall The Trades Club with her arrestingly powerful voice and terrifically talented 4-piece band.
RIMA AHMED (presenter)
Saturday 27th September
Best known for presenting BBC Radio Leeds’ Breakfast Show, Rima is an inspirational supporter of young musical talent in Yorkshire. Host of the brilliant Strange But True Crime podcast on BBC Sounds. We recently welcomed Rima as a patron of Music for the Many,
