This July, the International Guitar Foundation brings the blues back to London in dazzling style with the return of the IGF Blues Summit 2025, a standout event in their annual Guitar Summit season. Taking place on Sunday 20 July in the intimate setting of Hall Two at Kings Place, this one-night-only concert promises a richly emotive and genre-blending journey through the power of the guitar.
Curated by IGF, the 2025 line-up spans generations, traditions, and international borders. Opening the evening at 6pm is Elsie Franklin, whose fingerstyle guitar and gutbucket soul vocals have drawn comparisons to legends like Memphis Minnie and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Her performance is raw yet refined, fusing vintage authenticity with a modern songwriting sensibility.
Following her is Thomas Heppell, one of Britain’s most exciting young blues talents. Known for marrying classic blues tones with fresh energy, Heppell’s music strikes a balance between the familiar and the surprising. Expect tight grooves, old-time textures, and songs that feel both timeless and thrillingly new.
At 7.30pm, the spotlight turns to Dani Wilde, the award-winning singer-songwriter whose electrifying guitar work and commanding vocals are matched by a magnetic stage presence. Her set is sure to heighten the emotional energy of the night, blending passion with precision.
As the evening progresses, Paul Garner returns to Kings Place with his acclaimed organ trio, bringing deep grooves and a richly textured blues timbre to the fore. Garner’s approach is steeped in tradition but always exploratory — a blend of structure and free-flowing improvisation that rewards close listening.
Closing the night is a thrilling transatlantic collaboration between two instrumental masters: Chris Corcoran, often cited as the UK’s leading blues instrumentalist, and Iker Piris, a Spanish virtuoso whose style radiates flair and finesse. Together, they promise a dazzling finale of duelling guitars, intricate interplay, and pure musical joy.
While the IGF Blues Summit is, at its heart, a concert, it is more than that — it’s a celebration of the guitar as a storytelling instrument. Each artist brings a distinct voice, rooted in the blues but shaped by their own journeys and creative vision. Kings Place provides the perfect setting: an acoustically rich, warmly intimate venue that allows every note to resonate.
Tickets for the concert are priced at £35, with day passes available for those wishing to experience the broader Guitar Summit programme, including concerts, lectures, and masterclasses throughout the day.
Whether you’re a lifelong blues aficionado or simply curious about the music’s enduring appeal, IGF Blues Summit 2025 is set to be a highlight of the summer — a night where emotion, storytelling, and guitar mastery take centre stage.
