George Lowden and Aaron Lowden in Conversation with Ralph McLean

In 1961, the ten-year-old George Lowden made his first guitar – it had ‘fishing line for strings,’ he recalls, ‘bent over nails for frets, and a square soundbox’.

From such humble beginnings, George Lowden has developed a unique and acclaimed approach to instrument making that has helped him become one of the most distinctive and revered luthiers in the world.

Along the way, his instruments have been adopted by some of the finest guitarists and performers in the world, including folk and rock legends like Eric Clapton, Ed Sheeran, Richard Thompson and Snow Patrol and instrumental virtuosi such as Pierre Bensusan, Alex de Grassi and Thomas Leeb.

In this special event for the festival, George and his son Aaron will sit down with BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean to talk about his inspiration, his passions – and the guitars that have taken his name to concert stages across the world. They will be joined by Belfast guitarist Colm (Colly) McClean who will demonstrate just how a Lowden can be played! Currently the touring and recording guitarist for Foy Vance and Gretchen Peters among others, Colm has previously worked with Van Morrison, Ryan McMullan, Frances Black and is one of the founding members of the band ‘The Late Heavy’.

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