Gig - Roland Chadwick

“The Lansdown - that’s the one with the big tree in the middle, right? That’s great that place!” Australian born Roland ‘half-man, half-guitar' Chadwick greets me with these words when I talk to him over the phone after I have explained what magazine I’m from and which tour-date I am covering. As a trained classical guitarist and composer who made his debut at Sydney Opera House and has played alongside the English Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and Lesley Garret, this is praise indeed. Asked to describe tonight’s show, Chadwick tells me, “It’s a four-guitar gig. I play some steel string, an acoustic - DOBRA Blues set, some fiery Celtic songs on the mandolin and finish up with the Spanish guitar. And I sing”. Somewhat eclectic then. “Well, I only bring four to the gigs beacause I’ve only got a small car. I just like anything with frets”, he laughs, “I’m very one-dimensional really, all I do is play the guitar.”

'I’ve heard that you’re very good at gelling with audiences, too,' I venture. 'I’ve been told to look out for your comments between the sets'. He laughs, “Well, any idiot can get up and play the guitar, but you’ve got to go all out for it if you’re going to make it into a show. That’s all I try to do.” I’m about to ring off when Chadwick gets in a final vital comment, ‘I’ll be looking forward to coming back to Lewes for the guitar festival”, he says pointedly, “…If I get an invitation.” I’ll see what I can do, I say. ER