Sir Richard Bishop (live + Q&A) + James Blackshaw

TICKETS

After many years, guitar wizards Sir Richard Bishop and James Blackshaw finally return to Prague 

Sun City Girls disbanded in 2007, and Sir Richard Bishop has since established as a key figure in the world of experimental guitar. Sun City Girls were pioneers of fourth world music, a hybrid style defined by Jon Hassell as one that blends elements of Western avant-garde with unconventional sounds and structures from non-Western cultures.

In his playing, Bishop fuses influences from flamenco, Arabic music, Indian raga, surf rock, and jazz with classic American fingerstyle technique, pioneered by the likes of John Fahey, Robbie Basho, Leo Kottke, and Jack Rose. His work is deeply spiritual, inspired by travel, mysticism, the occult, and film. As a solo artist, he contributes to the revival of interest in non-Western tunings and ornamentation in guitar playing. Bishop has collaborated with Ben Chasny (Six Organs of Admittance) as well as Michael Gira of Swans, opening for them in Prague in 2012. Sir Richard Bishop returns to Prague with a new album Hillbilly Ragas, released on Drag City. Before his show at MeetFactory on, an interview and a Q&A will be held.
 

"Sir Richard Bishop turns his gaze inwards, towards the heart of American folk traditions, only to shatter them and rebuild them in his own image." — KLOF Mag

James Blackshaw, known for his innovative approach to the 12-string guitar, draws from minimalism, 60’s Takoma school of American Primitive guitar, as well as European classical music, while continuing the tradition of leading British players like Bert Jansch and Davy Graham. Using finger-picking technique, repetitive motifs, and sustained drones, Blackshaw creates hypnotic, emotional and touching instrumental music. 

​Born in London in 1981, Blackshaw has released eleven solo studio albums, two EPs, two live recordings and has also appeared on numerous compilations. Blackshaw has collaborated with Lubomyr Melnyk, performed and recorded as a member of Current 93 and with Jozef Van Wissem as Brethren of The Free Spirit and toured and played shows with artists such as Grails and Swans, for whom he opened at Prague's Palác Akropolis back in 2010. Two of his albums came out on Michael Gira's Young God label.

His latest, Unravelling In Your Hands, was released in November 2024, following a near decade long hiatus from making music.
 

„After a nearly decade-long hiatus—including joblessness, injury, and personal loss—the UK guitarist returns with a moving, virtuosic album that communicates a rare sense of purpose.“ — Pitchfork

Tickets:
390 CZK first wave until August 30
450 CZK second wave from August 30
​550 CZK at the door

Before your visit to MeetFactory, we recommend checking out the page Information for visitors.