Where can you catch Larry Carlton, Adrian Belew, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Reed Smith, Nita Strauss and many other industry legends, all in one go? They were among the participants at Sweetwater’s GearFest 2018, held this past June 22 and 23 on the music retail giant’s campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Now in its 17th year, GearFest has grown into a truly educational and entertaining experience. The annual two-day music trade event combines the latest and greatest musical equipment and products from countless manufacturers with workshops, presentations and clinics — all hosted by an impressive roster of talent, including modern musicians and industry legends. As always, this year’s activities included workshops and performances inside Sweetwater’s massive indoor campus, but much of the action took place outdoors. Guests enjoyed booths and exhibits housed under spacious and waterproof tents, as well as a flea market of used gear and “open-box” equipment at radically reduced prices. A generous number of food trucks were on hand, along with free bottled water, to keep attendees fed and happy throughout the activities.
Perhaps the biggest thrills were reserved for Sweetwater’s massive 24,000-squarefoot Pavilion performance stage and seating area, where a number of live performances and workshops were held during both days of the show. The venue hosts high-profile acts and national touring artists throughout the year and can hold up to 3,500 people.
GEARED UP
The gear tents numbered more than 20 and were arranged by instrument — which was good news for guitarists, who didn’t have to compete for volume with drummers, vocalists, keyboardists or other musicians and instruments. Indoors, Sweetwater offered plenty of additional presentations,