If youâve never heard of the Malibu Guitar Festivalâyou know, the four-day musical smorgasbord featuring names like Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Randolph, and Dale Watsonâyouâre not alone, but you better wise up fast. Only in its second year, the fest, which takes place April 28 through May 1, will see world-class musicians descend on the tony beach town for a celebration of all things guitar. âIâve always wanted to do a music festival in Malibu, and the iconography of the guitar is so synonymous with Malibu,â Festival organizer Doug DeLuca says. âEvery other household there has a guitarâwhether you are a hack like me, or a legend like the Edge. From the surfer whoâs got the beat up six-string, to the millionaire whoâs got the super expensive guitar collection, itâs a unifying force in the community. It made sense.â DeLuca (who is a co-executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a Malibu resident) along with partner John Watkin of Plant Grande Pictures had a vision to bring a music festival to the seaside town for philanthropic reasons while also showcasing legendary musicians alongside a slate of up-and-comers.
The list of performers on tap this year is a testament to the budding festivalâs future: expect to see acts like Richie Sambora, Albert Lee, Laurence Juber, Orianthi, Randy Jackson, and bands like The Empty Hearts rocking out for charity and for the love of their craft. âIâm interested in doing this because I love Montreaux Jazz Festival,â music director Steve Ferroneâdrummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakersâsays. âIt had a way of putting the oddest people together, and thatâs what made the music interesting. Iâd like to make it so the musicians have fun playing with each other outside their comfort zone, or basically just getting to play what they want to play. I always ask: âIs there anything you want to play thatâs out in left field for you?ââ
The Empty Hearts in particular embraces the ethos of the festival. Donât call them a âsuper group,â but do recognize that the band is made up of Blondie drummer Clem Burke (one of Rolling Stoneâs 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time), The Cars guitarist Elliot Easton, The Romantics guitarist and vocalist Wally Palmar, and The Chesterfield Kings bassist Andy Babiuk, who like to ââŚjust have fun with it and play the kind of music we grew up playing; the kind of music that reminds us of why we wanted to play music in the first place,â Burke says. âWe are really happy about the festivalâitâs going to be a good platform for us for a lot of people to get to know and hear our band that arenât really that up on us.â
And while MGF is still in the fledgling stages, DeLuca has big dreams for its future. âThe whole week leading up to it, everywhere you turn, the guitar has infiltrated all of Malibu,â he imagines. âEvery restaurant and bar is activated with music; every park with a jam session; every beach with a guitar circle. Itâs just this musical weekend, this musical destination. Itâs all driven by community. All of our Malibu friends take this as their own. Thatâs the vibe we are trying to create, thatâs where we are going.â Sounds like they are on their way.
Check out the festival schedule below, and head to TicketFly to buy a weekend pass or a la carte tickets to various events.
Thursday April 28, 7 p.m.: Opening night fundraiser at Casa Escobar (in the old Malibu Inn space). Most of the musicians who play over the weekend will do small sets, and all the money raised this night will benefit Mending Kids, Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, and Therasurf.
Friday April 29, 7 p.m.: Actual festival kick-off, also at Casa Escobar, with full sets by several local up and comers as well as Laurence Juber, Albert Lee, Richie Sambora, and Orianthi.
Saturday April 30, 12 p.m.-10 p.m.: The Main Event. Outdoor festival with two stages in the Cross Creek section of Malibu Village with food trucks, craft and guitar vendors, art galleries, and a kidsâ corner. Oh, and if you donât have time to get a workout in, SoulCycle will be on hand for some cardio parties amidst the musical madness.
Sunday May 1, 10:30 a.m.: Closing day special guitar brunch at the Sunset Restaurant near Point Dume featuring a terrific âBeatles gearâ presentation, art exhibit and live acoustic performances.