Bright Lights Into The Spotlight. ‘Acoustic guitar’ with Will McNicol and Olivia Collins.

On 18th August we had the pleasure to meet Will McNicol at the Lights of Soho gallery. The chair of the evening was Olivia Collins, who is Project Manager of the International Guitar Foundation (IGF) and a successful music blogger. The audience were drawn into this fascinating conversation about music, how Will came into the music industry, his childhood, process of studying and obstacles he met on his way.

Will and Olivia

A little about Will McNicol

Will began playing guitar at the age of six, and has since gone on to become UK Acoustic Guitarist of the Year (2011) and a Fellow of Trinity College London for his playing and compositions. In 2014 Acoustic Guitar Magazine included Will in their list of 30 Great Guitarists Under 30 from around the world. He has released three albums of original material, and has gigged up and down the UK; whether it be headlining his own solo shows, or supporting artists from Pierre Bensusan and Martin Simpson to Mumford & Sons. Will’s music is influenced by styles from all over the world, and he has developed his own unique sound, with Celtic folk being the underlying inspiration behind a large majority of his own pieces. His performances have been described as “beautifully flawless”, as he swaps between nylon and steel string guitars to show the sheer variety of tone guitars can offer.

Will is also an in-demand tutor and has given workshops at festivals including The Ullapool Guitar festival and will be heading up the International Guitar Festival’s Advanced Fingerstyle Course. He is a visiting guitar tutor at The Academy of Contemporary Music’s Regional Centre in Bournemouth, Bryanston School, and Yarrells School both in Dorset.

Will McNicol

If you missed this event, do not to worry, you can visit our Youtube channel to check out ‘Bright Lights Into The Spotlight’talk show on 18th August with Will McNicol.  Nooneartist Youtube channel

Details about Will can be found on http://willmcnicol.moonfruit.com.

Visit Olivia’s blog http://www.themusicalacidtest.com.

Olivia and me

Our bright lights!

Will McNicol, Olivia Collins, Anna Nooneartist, Lucy Mills