The Gibson Garage London has marked its second anniversary with a major two week celebration, bringing together artists, fans and industry figures for a packed programme of live music, exhibitions and special events.

Organised by Gibson, Garage Fest London highlighted the venue’s growing influence since opening in February 2024 as the brand’s first store outside the United States. In just two years, the space has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors, offering the chance to play more than 450 guitars while experiencing live performances in an intimate setting.

The celebration opened with a public exhibition marking 50 years of punk, featuring instruments, stagewear and memorabilia tied to key figures in the genre. Items connected to Mick Jones of The Clash, Captain Sensible of The Damned, Leigh Heggarty of Ruts DC and CJ Wildheart of The Wildhearts gave visitors a closer look at the attitude and legacy that shaped punk music.

A central highlight of Garage Fest London was a tribute to Mick Ronson, the influential guitarist known for his work with David Bowie and Bob Dylan. The event included the unveiling of a Gibson Custom Mick Ronson ‘68 Les Paul signature guitar, alongside a rare exhibition of stage worn outfits from key points in his career, including his Slaughter on 10th Avenue tour and his time with Spiders from Mars in the early 1970s.

Suzi Ronson and Lisa Ronson were joined by Spiders From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey for a live discussion reflecting on Ronson’s legacy. The audience included well known figures such as Glen Matlock, Katie Puckrik, Rusty Egan, Iestyn Polson, Kevin Armstrong and James Stevenson, underlining the continued influence of Ronson’s work across generations.

The festival also featured an in conversation event with acclaimed photographer Scarlet Page, who spoke with journalist Paul Brannigan about her book documenting the early years of Placebo. The discussion explored previously unseen images and offered insight into the band’s early creative journey.

Live performances played a major role throughout the two week event. Rising artist Elliot James Reay delivered a lively set inspired by 1950s rock and roll, while a full schedule of performances showcased both established and emerging talent.

The closing day brought together a strong lineup of new artists, including performers from the Gibson Generation Group mentoring programme such as Olly Pearson, Phoebe Winstanley and Melis Ogut. They were joined by acts including The Soul Revival, Nectar Woode, The Slates and Crawlers, creating a full day of live music focused on the next wave of talent.

Since opening, the Gibson Garage London has hosted a wide range of artists, from emerging musicians to globally recognised names such as Brian May, Johnny Marr and Yungblud, helping to establish its reputation as both a performance space and cultural hub.

As it moves into its third year, the venue continues to build on that foundation, offering fans a place to experience live music, explore instruments and connect more closely with the artists and stories that shape modern music.

Gibson Garage London has become a place where artists and fans discover, learn, and create together. The energy during Garage Fest London captures exactly why this space matters.”

-Lee Bartram, Head of Commercial and Marketing EMEA at Gibson

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.