This year’s two-day event, which took place June 6 and 7 at Sweetwater’s campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana, provided even more opportunities for thousands of musicians, engineers, and producers to participate in the festivities, with customers traveling from all over the world to participate.
Attendance was record-breaking, with more than 8,000 participants, up from 7,000 in 2013, and with sales up by more than 25% over GearFest 2013.
GearFest hosted a multitude of musicians performing and in workshops continuously in six different venues. Featured guest drummer Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, and his Led Zeppelin Experience, provided the finale to the festival. Other musicians performing and conducting clinics included bass player Billy Sheehan, drummer Kenny Aronoff, guitarists Jason Hook, Shaun Hopper, Don Carr, Devin Townsend, Emil Werstler, Carl Verheyen, and Brad Davis, keyboard player Larry Dunn, and many more.
The marquee event at GearFest '14 was Saturday's Producer's Panel, featuring an unprecedented gathering of producer/engineers, including Bruce Swedien (Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Count Basie), Bob Clearmountain (The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen), Ed Cherney (Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Mick Guzauski (Daft Punk, Earth, Wind & Fire, Mariah Carey), Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, Motley Crue, REM), Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Rush, Dream Theater), Bil Vorndick (Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck), and Fab Dupont (Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez, Bon Jovi). The panel held a lively discussion on a range of music recording and production topics moderated by Sweetwater's Editorial Director and noted author/journalist, Mitch Gallagher.
In total, GearFest included 185 workshops and seminars, in 9 different venues, on guitar, recording, and live sound, music creation with computers, acoustics, songwriting, and how to use electronic instruments. More than 200 manufacturers of musical instruments, music technology, and audio equipment were on hand to give GearFest attendees a look at the latest gear. In addition, hourly prizes were given away, totaling more than $72,000 worth of music instruments and equipment.
Twenty tents full of instruments, live sound, and pro-audio gear, included tents for Gibson and Fender, and one devoted just to iOS hardware and music applications for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
For those who couldn’t attend GearFest in person, videos, photos, and hourly updates were posted to Sweetwater’s popular FaceBook page, as well as to YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. For viewing videos and photos from GearFest 2014, Sweetwater’s FaceBook page is at: https://www.facebook.com/sweetwater
More than 50 videos, including interviews, product demos, and the Producers’ Panel, were recorded and will be posted on YouTube throughout June. Those already posted are viewable at this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlczpwSXEOyZir65VISHrZH9zE5FXi3I_
Sweetwater Founder and President Chuck Surack remarked, “This year’s GearFest was one of the most exciting and humbling experiences of my career. I personally greeted thousands of our customers at the front door as they arrived and was astounded by the enthusiasm everyone seemed to have for Sweetwater and GearFest. That, along with its continued growth in overall attendance and sales, has made GearFest a truly unique event in the music retail business.”
Caption (photo 1): The EMP tent featured gear demos and performances for DJs, remixers, and producers throughout GearFest.
Caption (photo 2): The legendary Bruce Swedien was interviewed by Sweetwater Editorial Director Mitch Gallagher, one of 12 video interviews conducted during GearFest 2014.
Caption (photo 3): The Sweetwater Performance Theatre was full to capacity throughout GearFest 2014.
Caption (photo 4): GearFest visitors crowd around the “DealZone.”
Caption (photo 5): The Producers’ Panel featured (left to right), Bob Clearmountain, Fab Dupont, Ross Hogarth, Mick Guzauski, Bil Vorndick, Ed Cherney, Richard Chycki, and Bruce Swedien.
Caption (photo 6): More than 200 vendors filled up 20 tents with gear and music.
About Sweetwater Sound
Sweetwater began business 35 years ago in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is the country’s most respected dealer in high-technology equipment for musicians, recording studios, and broadcasters — from microphones and digital recording systems to electric guitars to electronic keyboards and electronic drums. Sweetwater customers range from beginners to rock stars. The company’s equipment can be found in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville recording studios, TV and radio stations all across the country, as well as in tens of thousands of home recording studios nationwide. Sweetwater is built on a commitment to the highest level of customer service in the music technology industry. For further information visit www.sweetwater.com.
