Sunshine Superman Shines Over Purbeck Guitar Festival
Music Legend Donovan to headline Purbeck Guitar Festival
The Purbeck Guitar Festival is proud to announce that music legend Donovan will headline the 2026 festival, marking a major milestone for the event as it moves to its stunning new home in the walled garden at Upton Country Park, Poole.
This landmark appearance confirms Donovan as the festival’s headline act on Saturday 23 May 2026, leading a spectacular day of music as part of Rock-It Saturday.
Festival organiser Malcolm Lewis said:
“We are incredibly excited – and immensely proud – to confirm Donovan as our headline act for Purbeck Guitar Festival 2026. To welcome such a globally influential artist to Purbeck, and to do so at our beautiful new venue at Upton Country Park, is a truly special moment for the festival. Donovan’s artistry, history and continuing creative spirit embody everything this festival celebrates.”
Donovan: A True Musical Icon
Donovan Leitch is widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters and recording artists of the modern era. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, he was described as the artist who “single-handedly initiated the Psychedelic Revolution” with his groundbreaking 1966 album Sunshine Superman.
Recorded when Donovan was just 19 years old, the album predated and influenced works such as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Donovan later became the guitar tutor to The Beatles during their time in India, teaching John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison the fingerstyle techniques and chord patterns that shaped much of The White Album. As Harrison later said, “Donovan is all over The White Album.”
Beyond psychedelia, Donovan pioneered the fusion of folk, jazz, classical, Indian, Arabic, Gaelic and Caribbean music, helped reintroduce poetry into popular culture, and played a key role in introducing meditation and Eastern philosophy into modern songwriting. Now approaching his 80th year, Donovan continues to sing and play with the same spirit and musical brilliance that defined a generation.
Enquiries for Donovan interviews contact support@donovan.ie. Visit Donovan.ie
Rock-It Saturday – Saturday 23 May 2026
Donovan will headline Rock-It Saturday, a powerhouse day celebrating folk, blues, indie rock and guitar mastery, also featuring:
- The Guitar Heroes – a thrilling live celebration of 50 years of iconic guitar music
- Gary Cain – Canadian guitarist blending blues roots with rock influences
- Galaxy Thief – Dorset indie-rock favourites known for high-energy live shows
- Chris Corcoran Trio – masters of early swing, jump blues and R&B guitar
- Laura Snowden – acclaimed guitarist and composer linking guitar’s past, present and future
- Callum Buckley – outstanding fingerstyle guitarist with remarkable dexterity
Spanish Sunday – Sunday 24th May
Spanish Sunday brings fiery flamenco, classical guitar and Latin music to the walled garden, featuring:
- Juan Martín – returning for his third appearance; voted one of the world’s top three flamenco guitarists
- Rebeca Ortega & Ramón Ruiz – internationally acclaimed flamenco dance, guitar and vocals
- Carlos Bonell – returning for this third appearance, presenting a tribute to Spanish poet Federico García Lorca
- Flamenco Meets Maqam – a spellbinding fusion of Middle Eastern and flamenco traditions
- Flamenca – a dynamic trio blending flamenco, jazz, Arabic and Latin influences
- Miki Cruz – flamenco, Latin rhythms and passionate ballads inspired by Paco de Lucía and the Gypsy Kings
A Festival on the Rise
Launched in 2024 by Love It Local, the Purbeck Guitar Festival celebrates the extraordinary diversity of guitar music. After expanding across Purbeck in 2025 with two weeks of concerts in multiple venues, 2026 marks a bold new chapter.
For the first time, the festival will take place over a single weekend in the intimate and picturesque walled garden at Upton Country Park, creating a unique, immersive experience for artists and audiences alike.
Early bird tickets are on sale now from £50 on Saturday 23rd May and from £40.00 on Sunday 24th May.
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2 responses
at what time will Donavon be on please
Hi Stephen. He will be on at 8.00pm. Kind regards, Malcolm Lewis. Purbeck Guitar Festival