Adelaide Guitar Festival Reveals Full 2025 Program
Headlining this year’s eclectic program is the world premiere of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti Live in Concert.
Image Dara Mannis
Adelaide Guitar Festival has done it again, unveiling a spectacular program for the 2025 edition of the acclaimed festival, headlined by the previously announced Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti Live in Concert and Consonance: Instrumental Conversations with Guitar.
Running from September 10 to October 12, the Adelaide Guitar Festival is another highlight on the local music calendar, attracting artists and music lovers from across the globe.
Adelaide Guitar Festival Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan, who is responsible for curating this year’s program, had this to say about the lineup: “Whether it’s a performance in Adelaide or in our stunning regions when we go On the Road, it’s a thrill to host brilliant artists from Australia and across the globe in South Australia. I hope you can join me in welcoming this year’s exceptional artists to our stages, many who come to our festival for the very first time. On behalf of myself and the team, we hope that you enjoy the 2025 Adelaide Guitar Festival.”
The program is absolutely chockers, with one of the main drawcards being Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti Live in Concert. Making its world premiere at the festival on Saturday, September 13 at Her Majesty’s Theatre, this concert is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Zeppelin’s famous 1975 record, Physical Graffiti. This one-night only extravaganza features the Southern Cross Symphony performing the album in full, along with a selection of Zeppelin favourites, alongside bassist Warwick Cheatle, powerhouse drummer Danny Leo, keyboardist Paul White, guitarists Dusty Lee Stephensen and Kathleen Halloran, with vocals courtsey of Adelaide’s own Shaun Holton, Zkye Compson Harris and Dusty Lee Stephensen.
The other headline performance is Consonance: Instrumental Conversations with Guitar, a show featuring world-leading musicians lighting up Elder Hall on Sunday, September 14. Classical guitarist Aleksandr Tsiboulski takes to the stage alongside violinist Dr Elizabeth Layton, Head of Classical Performance at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, tackling compositions from Anne Cawrse based upon plainchant by 12th century composer and philosopher Hildegard of Bingen.
This year’s program also sees the return of John Butler, opening the festival with a live performance of his new solo album Prism alongside drummer Michael Barker, percussionist Michael Boase, and Ian Peres on keys, with support from celebrated singer-songwriter Emma Donovan.
Presenter and media personality Zan Rowe brings Riffing with Zan Rowe to Her Majesty’s Theatre, with guests including Troy Cassar-Daley, Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan, formidable lead and session player Kathleen Halloran and rising Catalonian virtuosa Lau Noah, who are all performing live as part of the festival.
Cassar-Daley is also coming together with Nancy Bates for a special night of storytelling while acclaimed singer Lior and his full band are performing his newest album, The Blue Parade. Guitar ensemble Siqueira Lima, comprising Cecilia Siqueira (Uruguay) and Fernando de Lima (Brazil), will bring classical precision and Latin passion to the srtage, with a recital by South Korea’s Young Taek Jo, winner of the 2024 Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition Winner, also part of this year’s program.
Speaking on this year’s event, Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM said: “We are delighted to welcome artists to Adelaide as it celebrates its 10th year as a UNESCO City of Music, for the 2025 Adelaide Guitar Festival. There is much to enjoy at this year’s festival which celebrates the guitar in its many forms and my thanks to Slava and the team for putting together a wonderful program celebrating the world’s favourite instrument.
The Hon Andrea Michaels MP, South Australian Minister for Arts, adds: “Congratulations to Slava Grigoryan and the team at Adelaide Festival Centre on an exciting 2025 Adelaide Guitar Festival program. It’s wonderful to welcome visitors to experience the innovative music scene in Adelaide, which celebrates its 10th anniversary as Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music this year. I encourage everyone to get out and about and enjoy the Adelaide Guitar Festival this September.”
Adelaide Guitar Festival 2025 will also host the final of the Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition, see the return of the Guitar Winter School, and hold a host of free talks, activities and live music events.
Guitars in Bars returns and On the Road will head to SA’s southeast from October 4 to 12. The full program is available to view at the Adelaide Guitar Festival website.
Adelaide Guitar Festival runs from September 10 to October 12. Tickets on sale now via adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au.
