Irene Ketikidi
Irene proudly endorses:
A staggering lead player, a talented composer as well as UK’s busiest female session guitarist, Irene has been a 6-string addict since her mid teens.
Originally from Greece, Irene relocated to the UK in 2007 to attend London’s prestigious Guitar Institute (ICMP) and graduated 3 years later with a BMus degree in Popular Music Performance. Straight after graduating, she was selected to perform her original tune “Rambler” at Steve Vai‘s masterclass at London’s Olympia Guitar Nation 2010, where not only did she receive great comments by Vai but also gained the attention of exclusive onlookers Neil Murray and Phil Hilborne.
Since then, Irene has performed at some of the biggest UK venues and Europe’s festival stages with various artists from pop (Red N Pink, Cherry Lee Mewis), country (Colm Kirwan, 2X Emmy winner Victoria Shaw, Heidi Feek), hip hop (AKS, JTheex), melodic metal (Gravil) and has toured extensively with female tributes including “The Femones” (Ramones) and “Back:N:Black” (AC/DC). In 2012, she was the lead guitarist and guest actor at London’s West End play “Julius Caesar” directed by the award-winning Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia, The Iron Lady). After a 4-month sell out season at London’s Donmar Warehouse, the show transferred to New York with many celebrities (including Sting) complimenting Irene on her playing.
Early 2013 saw the release of Irene’s debut solo instrumental album “Martial Arts & Magic Tricks”, a soulful blend of her main influences (Satch, Vai, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Morse), where she delivers 43 minutes of highly energetic playing, catchy melodies, groovy riffs and blistering solos. Featuring Dave Marks on bass, keyboards and additional rhythm guitars, Darby Todd on drums and with stunning guest performances by Dave Kilminster, Phil Hilborne and Justin Sandercoe, “Martial Arts & Magic Tricks” has already got rave reviews by players like Greg Howe and Jennifer Batten among others.