Guitarmania 2026
KRISSY MATTHEWS GUITARMANIA 2026 feat. RUSSELL MARSDEN (UK - BAND OF SKULLS), PABLO VAN DE POEL (NL - DEWOLFF), OSKAR LOGI (ISL - THE VINTAGE CARAVAN), JAX HOLLOW (USA), CONNOR SELBY (UK), PHILIPP “PHIPU” GERBER (CH)
(presented by Eclipsed, Musix, Musikreviews.de)
KRISSY MATTHEWS, the only 33-year-old Blues/Rock guitarist with British-Norwegian roots, already looks back on over 20 years of stage experience. At the tender age of 12, he performed with the "Godfather Of British Blues" John Mayall. At 15, he was taken under the wing of blues legend BB King, and a year later, he was the last guest musician to share the stage with the great, sadly deceased Jeff Healey. By now, he has earned a reputation as one of the best and most respected guitarists in the scene.
As someone who has himself experienced how valuable and inspiring it is to learn from the "greats," he is always eager to draw attention to new talents in the blues audience.
For example, on his current, eye-catching successful album "Krissy Matthews And Friends" (2024, RUF Records). There, he brings together a total of 80 musical friends and companions in 24 songs. Among them are high-caliber artists such as Chris Farlowe, Arthur Brown, Inga Rumpf, Stoppok, Curt Cress, Dennis Chambers, Big Daddy Wilson, Clem Clempson, Siggi Schwarz, Hamburg Blues Band – which is part of KRISSY MATTHEWS' permanent line-up. But also younger colleagues like Kai Strauss, Miller Andersen, Danny Bryant, Layla Zoe, Vanja Sky, Dani Wilde, and many more. During the European tour to promote the album release, some of these guest musicians were already heard live, which thrilled both the audience and KRISSY MATTHEWS to such an extent that it inspired him to go on tour for the first time in 2025 with five or six of his favorite guitarists under the title GUITARMANIA. The line-up for the next edition in 2026 is already set:
The tour KRISSY MATTHEWS’ GUITARMANIA 2026 FEAT. RUSSELL MARSDEN (UK - BAND OF SKULLS), PABLO VAN DE POEL (NL-DEWOLFF), OSKAR LOGI (ISL - THE VINTAGE CARAVAN), JAX HOLLOW (USA), CONNOR SELBY (UK), and PHILIPP “PHIPU” GERBER (CH) will take place from May 6th - 18th, 2026, and will include 13 shows.
Here are the impressive musicians of KRISSY MATTHEWS' GUITARMANIA 2026:
RUSSELL MARSDEN, singer and guitarist of the English band of Skulls, which now boasts five successful albums with chart placements in the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, and the USA, will of course feature the Band of Skulls hit "You’re Not Pretty, But You Got It Goin‘ On," which ranked at the top of the US Billboard Headseeker charts in 2009.
PABLO VAN DE POEL from the Netherlands will be present at the first seven GUITARMANIA shows. As the singer, guitarist, and producer of his blues/rock trio DeWolff, PABLO VAN DE POEL stands for incredibly authentic, psychedelic blues rock in the style of The Cream, The Doors, and Deep Purple, which seems to come directly from the 60s and 70s and has given the band fantastic reviews and packed concert halls for almost 18 years. PABLO VAN DE POEL is considered one of the best blues guitarists in the Benelux region.
OSKAR LOGI AGUSTSSON, guitarist of the Icelandic heavy blues/retro rock band The Vintage Caravan, will bring a powerful, classic rock to early metal-influenced statement to the GUITARMANIA program with a selection of his favorite songs from the band's previous seven albums.
JAX HOLLOW, the songwriter, singer, and guitarist from Nashville (USA), is one of the most exciting young guitarists to emerge in recent years. Her energetic mix of rock, country, blues, and pop made waves in 2021 with her debut album "Underdog Anthems." She has also shared the stage with legendary rock icons such as Billy Gibbons, Rick Springfield, and Sammy Hagar, captivating established colleagues like Joe Bonamassa and Melissa Etheridge, as well as the industry press, which recently described her stage presence as "Hendrixian... with a touch of Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen."
CONNOR SELBY from Essex, England has been regarded by the British media as the next big star of storytelling blues, especially since signing with Provogue Records in 2023. He has already been awarded "Young Artist of the Year" at the UK Blues Awards in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The now 27-year-old guitarist, who has shared the stage with The Who, Pearl Jam, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Beth Hart, P.P. Arnold, and Robert Cray, impresses with virtuosity and profound lyrics.
PHILIPP “PHIPU” GERBER is described by the press in his Swiss homeland as a blues wizard. With his bands Bluedög, Dögz, and the Hardcore Blues Band, PHIPU GERBER has earned an excellent reputation in the scene over the years, including tours and concerts with Nazareth, Ten Years After, and Anna Popovic. Known for hearty blues rock with extensive guitar solos and driving grooves, the Solothurn musician will also inspire the audience at GUITARMANIA 2026.
The foundation of the GUITARMANIA band consists of KRISSY MATTHEWS' long-time companions GERRY REYNDERS (BE) on drums and SLAWEK SEMENIUK (PL) on bass, who provide the highest level of musical support for the guests.
Visitors can look forward to a three-hour program where each of the six guitarists will first present their own solo songs, only to share the stage at the end in a joint all-star jam session.
Like no other tour in 2026, KRISSY MATTHEWS’ GUITARMANIA offers such a wide range of different blues/rock styles, presented by the currently most happening guitarists of the new generation. Blues rock and guitar fans will be fully satisfied and should not miss these fantastic shows!
KRISSY MATTHEWS’ GUITARMANIA 2026
feat. RUSSELL MARSDEN (BAND OF SKULLS), PABLO VAN DE POEL (DEWOLFF), OSKAR LOGI (THE VINTAGE CARAVAN), JAX HOLLOW, CONNOR SELBY, PHILIPP “PHIPU” GERBER
Doors open: 6:00 PM
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
