Win tickets to see Matteo Mancuso perform at Guitar Player Presents in Southern California after NAMM 2026

A photo of guitarist Matteo Mancuso
(Image credit: Paolo Terlizzi)

We’re thrilled to present our first event with rising guitar star Matteo Mancuso, a unique musician whose technical brilliance must be seen to be believed. His classically informed plucking-hand style is particularly mind-blowing, and we can’t wait to see it up close in the gorgeous Lobero Theatre in lovely Santa Barbara.

For all of you heading to the NAMM Show in Anaheim, plan a quick trip up the coast to Santa Barbara for some peace after three days of glorious chaos on the show floor. Soak in a few rays of sunshine on the beach, and then get your face melted by Mancuso!

He rose to prominence on the internet and has a shrewd understanding of how to command short attention spans online. But Mancuso also understands that it takes much more than short bursts of flash playing to retain the attention of real live music aficionados.

“Steve Vai gave me some good advice,” Mancuso revealed in 2024. “‘Concentrate on music and not too much on guitar.’ You can open up a lot of new ideas with that mindset.’”

Check out Mancuso demonstrating his ability to play impressive guitar in a musical context on “The Price of Love,” from the Matteo Mancuso Masterclass.

Matteo Mancuso // The Price Of Love (JTC Guitar) - YouTube Matteo Mancuso // The Price Of Love (JTC Guitar) - YouTube
Watch On

Mancuso released his debut album, The Journey, in 2023 to great acclaim from the likes of Vai, Eric Johnson and Al Di Meola. Mancuso’s most recent single, “Paul Position,” pays homage to the great Paul Gilbert, with Mancuso playing a baritone electric made by Bacci Guitars.

Mancuso resides near Palermo, Sicily, Italy, and only travels to the States on occasion. Our Guitar Player Presents event featuring his trio at the fabulous Lobero promises to be truly special. Snag advance tickets before they’re gone, and he heads back to the Boot.

WIN TICKETS!

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Mateo Mancuso in Santa Barbara, California, on Tuesday, January 27, send an email and put “Mancuso” in the subject. Include a sentence about yourself and why you want to go. Phone contact greatly appreciated for confirmation.

Winner must provide their own transportation to the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, California, and have their own accommodations in the area. Best of luck!

EVENT DETAILS

GP Presents Matteo Mancuso

Tuesday, January 27, 7:30 p.m.

Lobero Theatre

33 E. Canon Perdido St.Santa Barbara, CA 93101

We'll be handing out free packs of Martin strings

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CATEGORIES

Jimmy Leslie is the former editor of Gig magazine and has more than 20 years of experience writing stories and coordinating GP Presents events for Guitar Player including the past decade acting as Frets acoustic editor. He’s worked with myriad guitar greats spanning generations and styles including Carlos Santana, Jack White, Samantha Fish, Leo Kottke, Tommy Emmanuel, Kaki King and Julian Lage. Jimmy has a side hustle serving as soundtrack sensei at the cruising lifestyle publication Latitudes and Attitudes. See Leslie’s many Guitar Player- and Frets-related videos on his YouTube channel, dig his Allman Brothers tribute at allmondbrothers.com, and check out his acoustic/electric modern classic rock artistry at at spirithustler.com. Visit the hub of his many adventures at jimmyleslie.com