The Guitar Social Festival off Broadway

The Guitar Social’s 2 day festival of guitar and other things

The Guitar Social is happy to present a day of free workshops, live music, talks from local bussiness and DJ sets for you to wander amongst like a stellar audio explore recently released from something like … oh, I don’t know, a government imposed lockdown?
The Guitar Social is London’s number one place to connect with other musicians. We run classes, retreats and events. We’ve recently opened a new bar in East London and we love it. We love the bar, we love our neighbours and we love the local businesses that surround us, but most of all we love music and we love teaching music. So, to celebrate all of this love, we thought we’d throw a weekend long party to celebrate.

In association with 5 Points Brewery with discounts on beer and brewery tours.
Working with The last Tuesday Society with 10% off their amazing absinth cocktails

Here’s what’s happening

Saturday 21st May

11am-12 Free writing session with Josh – learning how to turn random thoughts into prose

12-12.30 Thomas Binns presents the chequered history of The Guitar Social part 1 with tasting notes sponsored by The East London Liquor Company

12.30-1.30 Beginners guitar class – for those who have never strummed before, for those who can form a few chords

1.30-2 Live Music from Joe & Toby; an acoustic guitar duo playing a mixture of originals and covers, singing about life as young adults.

2-2.30 Live music from Michael, Rich and Elliot. Expect some classic rock covers and screechy high notes

2.30-3 Live music from Alex; acoustic music in the style of Paulo Nutini with elements of James Blake

3-3.30 – What is TGS membership – come talk to us at the Members bar-free drinks!

3.30-4 Live Music from Odd Box Eric. The Cigar Box guitar guy

4-5 Joy of the jam – An intermediate level jamming class – playing guitar for the fun of it

5-3.30 Musical comedy from Matt Staite – This guy is hilarious!

5.30-6 A talk from our neighbours at the Last Tuesday Society about Absinth and how its made.

7 til Late- Playing all our favourite tunes as featured in our classes over the years.

Sunday 22nd May

11-12 First Solos-an improver level introduction to some classic entry level solos.

12-12.30 Flamenco dance performance from Laura accompanied by guitars and percussion.

12.30-1.30 Improvers jam – For those who are somewhere between just getting it, and getting good at it

1.30-2 Live Music from Paul from Holland with 60s, 70s rock and pop covers and some lyrical originals

2-2.30 Live music from Wesley Charles, influences from blues, soul and pop.

2.30-3.30 Intermediate ideas – for those who have kind of got it, but want to refine it and get it a bit more

3.30-4.00 Thomas Binns presents the chequered history of The Guitar Social part 2 with tasting notes sponsored by The East London Liquor Company

4-5. Joy of the jam – A jamming class for those who can play a few chords, up to the solo masters – playing guitar for the fun of it

5-5.30 – Live music from Reuben Hendy; a newcomer who’s not quite sure what to call himself yet. Let’s just say his words vary from poetry to spoken word to guitar virtuosity.

5.30- 10.30 – Afterparty!

If you RSVP here to let us know you’re coming you can get 2 for 1 on a cocktail 🙂 In the message section of your booking, please leave a message to us saying which session/ sessions you plan to come to and ignore the 11am time – this is just when the festival starts

Nicola Cortese

03/02/2022

I started a course in Jan as a beginner with Thomas and I can already play 5 songs!.. with simple chords :) both Thomas and Fiona are really lovely and they really know how to teach whilst having fun! I'd highly recommend dropping at one of their Thursday's open mic! Tons of fun and talent for free!!!

Jonny Pollard

02/02/2022

Very friendly learning environment, was a bit nervous to play with a group having not played socially for many years, but it was super relaxed, and I learnt a lot in the first session. Looking forward to the next session!

Adam J

01/02/2022

Had a great time tonight! I joined on to the beginners course a couple weeks late, but Fiona was great at running me up to speed before the class. Tom was a great instructor, and managed to get us to cover lots of ground in a short space of time. The group was super freindly and relaxed, and im looking forward to going back next week!

Jakub Špaček

Having played guitar in my past within academic environment I have to say The Guitar Social club opened my eyes with their amazing and vibrant atmosphere with company of great people. Lessons are really fun and easy to follow. Feel really motivate just after few classes and my connection to the instrument greatly improved!

Paula Smith

31/01/2022

Unbelievably great, not kidding.

Marcella Puppini

This exactly what I was hoping it would be. A fun and engaging way of learning a new instrument at a lovely venue, with great people and great teaching. Thoroughly recommended.

hashtagobi

Only been going 2 weeks but it's a great environment with good pacing throughout the lessons. The community is quite helpful + open to learn so it's really a great space for anyone wanting to hone their guitar chops!

Kevin S.

27/01/2022

Is it a guitar school? A social events group? A music workshop for all ages and abilities? An open, non-judgemental route to performing? A holiday club that includes jamming on guitars around the campfire? Well–it's all these and more. The Guitar Social is built around founder & lead tutor Thomas (plus TGS Business Director, Fiona, originally one of its earliest students). Patient and passionate, Thomas and his relaxed, friendly temperament get the best from beginners to improvers and beyond. Personally for me, one core strength of The Guitar Social is that Thomas realises what most tutors and courses never do – we can all learn fast and well when we play whole songs together and discover as a group how to make them work. Thomas and TGS guest tutors will always tend to teach music theory for guitar, and focus too on scales, chord voicings, correct rhythm, licks, riffs, parts, soloing etc, but with a tendency to make it about the fun and learning gains when students jam together on great songs instead of staring at a white board and not playing much music. Jamming songs in similar or mixed ability groups helps TGS students become functioning musicians who have built useful real world skills and experience across many sessions similar to how working musicians rehearse and workshop songs. And you will have the opportunity to build live experience too if you wish – solo or with your term group or with others of your choice, in a safe, positive environment, with friendly fellow students as your audience. Never any pressure and just one example of where TGS delivers extra value. They are really worth trying. I haven't even done full justice here to all the different activities they do.

stu smith

25/01/2022

The coolest club in London!

Colin Taylor

I'm back for my second series of the Joy of the Jam. After not playing with others for over 30 years, these sessions are reminding me just how inspiring and enjoyable jamming can be. Thomas leads the sessions with huge enthusiasm and a great deal of humour. The support of his impressive musical knowledge is ever present - but this never gets in the way of our desire just have fun and be playing.

The Guitar Social’s 2 day festival of guitar and other things

From the Guitar Social Community