A unique musical event is taking place in Clapham this month, as guitarist Dylan Gilbert puts on his first live concert.
So far, so normal, until you find out that Dylan is just 11 years old.
Dylan has been playing guitar since the age of eight, and is already a seasoned performer, having played regularly at The Cellar Bar and at several local events.
And despite not being born during Britpop’s 90s heyday, it is the bands of this era that most heavily influence his style.
As well as being an accomplished guitarist, he also writes and arranges his own songs, so we asked him to give us the low-down on his inspiration and his ambitions for the future…
Bedford Clanger: How old were you when you first picked up a guitar?
Dylan Gilbert: When I was about three, I got a small toy guitar/ukulele, and I would run around the house singing Timmy Time and playing it.
My Dad plays [guitar] and I just showed an interest and somehow managed to take it all in.
Bedford Clanger: Can you remember the first song you heard that had an impact on you?
Dylan Gilbert: I don’t really remember, but I do remember hearing Basket Case and then I started to listen to a lot of Greenday and I loved learning how to play and sing their songs.
I also remember hearing Champagne Supernova by Oasis, and then I had to listen to all their songs
Bedford Clanger: What are your favourite bands and singers?
Dylan Gilbert: My favourite bands are Oasis, Pulp and Queen. My favourite guitar player/singer is Noel Gallagher, and Freddie Mercury is really cool.
Bedford Clanger: What inspired you to put on the concert?
Dylan Gilbert: I do not know what inspired me, but I like making albums and I have hundreds of songs I have written, sung and recorded on my phone, and I really wanted to get a collection of songs and create a really fun gig.
Bedford Clanger: What are your plans for the future? Next stop, the O2?
Dylan Gilbert: My plans are to release an album and then hopefully one day, play Wembley, or if Oasis do Knebworth, maybe I can support…
You can catch Dylan at his gig on Saturday, 30 May at Clapham Village Hall, MK41 6BS @ 6.30pm.
Tickets for the concert are £5 and are available from Eventbrite here. The concert is in aid of Cancer UK, with half of all proceeds being donated to the charity.
