GearFest visitors crowd around the “DealZone.”
Sweetwater Sound has reported that GearFest 2014 was a bigger success than ever, breaking every record established by previous GearFest events. Launched in 2002, Sweetwater’s annual GearFest is the nation’s largest end-user-oriented music and pro audio festival, featuring exhibits from more than 200 manufacturers; workshops, clinics and seminars; live demos; special performances; a musician’s flea market; and much more. This year’s two-day event, which took place June 6 and 7 at Sweetwater’s campus in Fort Wayne IN, provided even more opportunities for thousands of musicians, engineers and producers to participate in the festivities, with customers traveling from all over the world to participate. Attendance was record-breaking, with more than 8,000 participants—up from 7,000 in 2012—and with sales up by more than 25 percent over GearFest 2012.
The Producers’ Panel featured (L-R) Bob Clearmountain, Fab Dupont, Ross Hogarth, Mick Guzauski, Bil Vorndick, Ed Cherney, Richard Chycki and Bruce Swedien.
GearFest hosted a multitude of musicians performing and in workshops continuously in six different venues. The marquee event was the Producers’ Panel, featuring an unprecedented gathering of producer/engineers, including Bruce Swedien (Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Count Basie), Bob Clearmountain (The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen) and Ed Cherney (Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, The Fabulous Thunderbirds). The panel held a lively discussion on a range of music recording and production topics. It was moderated by Sweetwater Editorial Director, and noted author/journalist, Mitch Gallagher.
The Sweetwater Performance Theatre was full to capacity throughout GearFest 2014.
In total, GearFest included 185 workshops and seminars, in nine different venues, on guitar, recording, live sound, music creation with computers, acoustics, songwriting and how to use electronic instruments. More than 200 manufacturers of musical instruments, music technology and audio equipment were on hand to give GearFest attendees a look at the latest gear. In addition, hourly prizes were given away, totaling more than $72,000 worth of music instruments and equipment. Twenty tents full of instruments, live sound and pro audio gear included tents for Gibson and Fender, and one devoted just to iOS hardware and music applications for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
The EMP tent featured gear demos and performances for DJs, remixers, and producers throughout GearFest.