Chantel McGregor, the Yorkshire-born guitar virtuoso who defied industry expectations to carve her own path, brings her acclaimed live show to Arlington Arts Centre in Newbury later this month.
At just 14, Chantel McGregor was told by major record labels that “girls don’t play guitar like that”.
Undeterred, she went on to study at Leeds College of Music, where she became the first student to achieve a 100% pass mark, graduating with First-Class Honours in Popular Music and winning the Musician of the Year award.
Her live performances are a blend of technical brilliance, soulful vocals and raw stage presence. They have won her a loyal following and critical praise across the UK and beyond.
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Early in her career, Chantel McGregor shared stages with Joe Bonamassa, who invited her to join his UK tour, recognising her remarkable talent.
Chantel’s 2011 debut album Like No Other, produced by Livingstone Brown (Ed Sheeran, Robin Trower, Shakira), earned widespread acclaim for its inventive blues-rock sound, with one reviewer saying her guitar work was like “channelling the ghost of Hendrix”. Her follow-up, Lose Control (2015), explored darker, gothic textures and cemented her reputation as one of Britain’s most fearless guitarists and songwriters.
As All About The Rock put it: “Recommended for fans of blues, rock, Jeff Buckley, Marillion, Country & Nick Drake. This is a hard album to categorise & pigeonhole — which in this day & age of labels & boxes is a good thing.”
Her single “Take The Power” became a staple on Planet Rock Radio for five weeks, while appearances on Sky News, BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Radio Four helped introduce her music to an even wider audience.
During the 2020 lockdown, McGregor stayed connected to fans through her online Shed Sessions, intimate live streams that later became two albums in 2021.
More recently, she’s toured across the UK with her band and as a solo artist, including co-headline shows with Elles Bailey and festival slots at Maid of Stone.
She is currently writing and recording her third studio album, due for release in 2025, and audiences in Newbury will get to hear brand-new material alongside favourites from her earlier records.
Fans can get a taste of her live energy on her official YouTube channel, where she performs with her trademark blend of blues, rock and heart.
When is Chantel McGregor coming to Arlington Arts and how do I get tickets?
Chantel McGregor performs at Arlington Arts Centre, Mary Hare, Snelsmore Common, Newbury RG14 3BQ, on Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 8pm.
Tickets are £20, with a £1 booking fee per ticket, available from https://arlington-arts.com/events/chantel-mcgregor/.
For access or carer seats, call the Box Office on 01635 244246 or email boxoffice@arlingtonarts.co.uk.
Doors open an hour before the performance, with the bar opening at the same time. The auditorium opens around half an hour before the show begins.
There is no cash machine on site, and visitors are encouraged to check the venue’s Parking Information and Plan Your Visit pages ahead of arrival.
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