Uppsala Guitar Festival Returns for 23rd Edition

The Uppsala International Guitar Festival celebrates its 23rd edition from October 7–11, making it one of Scandinavia's most enduring guitar events. Held at Uppsala Konsert och Kongress, the festival brings together guitarists from Europe, Asia, and the Americas across styles ranging from flamenco and folk to gypsy jazz and modern fusion.

Fusion Jazz Takes Center Stage in Nordic Guitar Festival

One of the festival's headline acts is Fusion Experience, a quartet led by British guitarist Jack Gardiner alongside bassist Henrik Linder and guest guitarists Kiko Loureiro and Per Nilsson. The group will draw primarily from Gardiner's 2025 album Kintsugi, with only one rehearsal before the show — promising plenty of spontaneity. Gardiner cites jazz and funk heavyweights like Tribal Tech, Brecker Brothers, and Hiromi as key influences, reflecting the festival's broad, genre-crossing spirit.

Key Takeaways

Now in its 23rd year, the Uppsala International Guitar Festival continues to champion boundary-pushing guitar music, blending international jazz, fusion, and world styles on a prestigious Nordic stage. It remains a must-attend event for fans of adventurous, genre-defying guitar.

Author: Dan Backman

Source: Orkesterjournalen

Published: September 19, 2026