What better way to kick the winter blues is there then partaking in a tropical voyage? A relaxing, fun time on the Atlantic Ocean, but add the idea of dominating this event with guitar music ranging from Jazz to Rock to Metal and everything in between. Uniting those concepts, one would have to turn their attention to monstrous music boat known as Axes & Anchors which set sail February 20th through the 24th. Departing out of Miami, Florida with an itinerary that found it’s way through Key West and Nassau Bahamas, Axes & Anchors featured a total of forty concerts and more thirty music workshops in it’s span. In enough words, this was a vacation experience a guitar players and music lovers could only dreams of, and then some.
Dubbed “the first ever guitar-dominated music cruise,” Axes & Anchors included a list of bands such as Breaking Benjamin, Flyleaf, Thousand Foot Krutch, Motionless In White, Adelitas Way, Aranda, and Demon Hunter, along with legendary Guitarists Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Marty Friedman, Michael Schenker, Tony MacAlpine, Gilby Clarke, Rudy Sarzo, Tracii Guns, as well as Alex Skolnick, just to name a few. With performances spread out over twelve decks, and amidst thirteen bars, there was so much to do that each day was a new adventure.
With plenty of beverage, food, and endless entertainment, Axes & Anchors had all of it’s three thousand plus guests wishing it would never end. Everyone had a chance to kick back and enjoy unique concerts that saw the musicians performing equally as excited to be a part of Axes & Anchors as it’s guests. Many even had a chance to get up and close and personal with these guitar heroes for photos and friendly conversation. Above all, what made the four-day extrusion so unique was not only it’s entertainment factor, but educational offering of the workshops which perhaps setting a new standard for Rock cruises in the future.
For those who missed a chance to be part of the first ever Axes & Anchors, let their heart not be troubled as the event was such a success that there are plans for it’s return come 2017. Until then, check out some great images from the concerts and keep a look out for future Axe & Anchors announcements.
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