The mesmerising and multi-dimensional Laura Snowden...
Forget everything you think you know about traditional guitar…
On Saturday, 23rd May 2026, the Purbeck Guitar Festival welcomes Laura Snowden, an artist described by Acoustic Guitar Magazine as possessing “multi-dimensional gifts” and a “fearless artistic sensibility.”
'Mesmerising show'
A ‘Mesmerising show’
Laura doesn’t just play the guitar; she deconstructs it. Her performances are a “poignant, mesmerising show” (The Guardian) that blends intricate fretwork with unique vocalisations, eerie echoes, and a sense of “unassuming intensity” that feels more like a fever dream than a standard recital. Whether she’s providing the haunting solo guitar backdrop for Marvel’s Black Widow or collaborating with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Laura’s work is defined by its ability to be both deeply ancient and startlingly modern.
"Laura Snowden links the guitar’s past, present, and future... a true musician whose interpretative capabilities are profound and exciting."
From Marvel Studios to Celtic folklore
Laura’s “eclectic musical output” is notoriously hard to pin down. She was the first ever guitarist to graduate from the Yehudi Menuhin School, but she has spent her career breaking the very rules she learned there. Her sets are a patchwork of:
Evocative original compositions: Music that breathes and shifts in unexpected directions.
Wacky soundscapes: Utilizing the guitar body for percussion and otherworldly textures.
Celtic Folk reinventions: Stripped-back, raw arrangements that tap into the storytelling heart of the instrument.
Laura brings a sense of mystery and “jaw-dropping” imagination to the Walled Garden stage at the Purbeck Guitar Festival.
Student of Julian Bream
Laura studied with the distinguished classical guitarists, Julian Bream. She was hand-picked by him to perform at the Bream Trust concert at Wigmore Hall in 2015 and 2017.
Laura was also awarded a scholarship to study at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School, following a donation from the Rolling Stones. She also went on to study at the Royal College of Music.
She has gone on to receive international recognition, with festival debuts across Europe and the US. Now shie is forging her own creative path as a guitarist, composer and vocalist.
Debut Album
’This album is a joy: an extraordinary first album… influences of Erik Satie, jazz, and great tunesmiths such as George Harrison’ – Music Teacher Magazine
Laura Snowden’s debut ‘This Changing Sky’ was described by Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s as one of the ‘must-hear albums of 2025’. The album received broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, and was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered show in their roundup of best guitar music from 2025.
Find out more about Laura Snowden on her official website
or follow her on her Facebook page.
The Rock It Saturday experience
Laura Snowden’s avant-garde set is a centerpiece of Rock It Saturday at Upton Country Park. We’ve gathered the some fantastic and distinct musicians for a full day of “everything-but-the-ordinary” guitar playing.
Explore the rest of the Saturday Lineup:
Donovan: The psychedelic folk king and “Sunshine Superman.”
The Story of Guitar Heroes: A theatrical, live-action history of the world’s loudest riffs.
Gary Cain: High-voltage, genre-blurring blues from Canada.
Chris Corcoran Trio: The UK’s premier instrumental “Jump Blues” masters.
Galaxy Thief: Dorset’s own award-winning indie-rock power quartet.
Fuel the Music: Between the sets, head over to the Stable-Yard BBQ for premium Dorset burgers and fresh local seafood. Our bar will be serving local ales, Dorset cider, and bubbles all day long. Grab a VIP deck chair or spread out a blanket in the garden—this is the ultimate bank holiday celebration of the strings.