Come October and Mumbai will experience the first ever Guitar Day. The evening will feature some of the finest Guitar players in the country as well as an international guitar star.

Verus Ferreira met up with Neil Banks of Gigatainment to know more about Mumbai Guitar Day:

How did the idea for Mumbai Guitar Day come up?

The idea for this celebration just like Piano Day, is to showcase talented guitarists from the city and around the country, with a guest guitarist from the international circuit. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of the guitar, be it acoustic, electric or both, the six strings that unite music fans across the globe.

What would be the criteria when it comes to choosing guitarists for the event?

It all depends on the genre we decide, it will be a mix each year to entertain our audiences who also have  varied likes.

Would you be including female guitarists too?

Of course female guitarists will be featured, but it would depend on their potential, we though have a few choices in mind at the moment.

What guitar styles do you plan to bring in this first edition and would there be a backup band too?

We plan to cover Funk, Jazz, Fusion, Rock. Depending on the guitarist, if they feature a vocalist then there would a backing vocailst. Guitarists always backs a vocalist, but this time it’s the guitarist who will take center stage.

What number of guitarists are you looking at featuring at the event?

Around 4 to 5, giving each of them enough time to display their talent.

Is there a compensation package you are offering guitarists who perform?

Compensation and Love for the Guitar is between the Promoters and Artists as it solely depends on Sponsors, but yes all guitarists will get compensated. We would like to associate with various brands in some way or the other, but the ball is in their court, they should infact be coming forward in helping to support such initiatives. 

You have successfully curated Mumbai Piano Day in the past since the last 4 years, do you think Mumbai Guitar Day will evoke the same enthuisam as your earlier gigs?

There is an immense amount of talented guitar players not just in Mumbai, but all around the country. Mumbai Drum Day (curated by Gino Banks) and Mumbai Piano Day have always seen a great turnout and I am sure even Mumbai Guitar Day will bring in guitar lovers. For I believe, these guitarists are usually backing musicians and are never really known to the public. We at Gigatainment have taken it upon ourselves to take the initiative and create an IP worthy of the guitar and we are excited to celebrate the instrument that everyone loves. Guitar Day is not a competition, but a platform for the young and not so young to be inspired and motivated by the finest guitarists our country and the world have to offer.

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira