Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

When he noticed the effect The Beatles had on girls, Eugene Chadbourne decided to get himself a guitar. Thirty years on he’s an all-round guitar phenomenon to whom creative freedom is essential. His unique personal style makes him hard to categorise. Apart from being an instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, bass and drums), singer, composer, performer and writer, Chadbourne also established his own record label, Chadula, and makes his own cover art.

In the past he played with artists such as John Zorn and the Violent Femmes, artists that became popular thanks to smart marketing. But Chadbourne himself is not really interested in commercial success. Instead he releases ‘horror records’, tribute albums to Bach and Hendrix or explores the musical qualities of the electric rake.

Needless to say, his concerts are always surprising. Seeing his style is completely unique, he cannot easily be categorised. The eclectic performer squeezes country, rockabilly and improvisation out of his banjo. With his cartoon-like voice he performs the oddest songs. Especially for the game is up!, he’ll be performing some covers.