Two exceptionally respected guitar talents take center stage at The Boardwalk in the coming days, as classic hard rock icon Pat Travers headlines one night followed by a young artist, modern virtuoso Matteo Mancuso, delivering back-to-back performances that spotlight decades of guitar-driven innovation, influence and live performance power in one of the region’s most intimate concert settings.

The pair of shows underscores the breadth of guitar music represented on the Boardwalk stage, pairing a road-hardened rock veteran whose work helped define late-1970s arena rock with one of today’s most talked-about emerging guitar voices, each bringing a distinct style and legacy to Orangevale audiences.

The run begins Wednesday, Jan. 28, with the return of Pat Travers and the Pat Travers Band for a special weeknight performance. Travers, a Canadian-born guitarist raised in Toronto, first picked up the instrument at age 12 and was famously inspired after seeing Jimi Hendrix perform live, a moment that set him on a lifelong path rooted in blues-driven hard rock and uncompromising live performance.

Pat Travers Band

After honing his skills in Canadian club bands, Travers relocated to London in the mid-1970s, where he signed with Polydor Records and released his self-titled debut album in 1976. What followed was relentless touring, and by 1978 the Pat Travers Band had earned a reputation as one of the era’s most explosive live acts, sharing stages with bands such as Rush and steadily building a devoted fan base.

Travers’ breakthrough came with the live album Live! Go for What You Know, which cracked the U.S. Top 40 and produced the enduring anthem “Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights),” a Top 20 hit that remains a staple of classic rock radio. Songs such as “Snortin’ Whiskey” further cemented his status as a guitarist known for heavy blues riffs, groove-driven arrangements and raw stage energy.

Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Travers continued recording and touring consistently, evolving his sound while remaining firmly grounded in hard rock traditions. His music has appeared in pop culture, including the film Valley Girl, and his influence has been acknowledged by generations of guitarists including Alex Lifeson, Paul Gilbert, Kirk Hammett and Vito Bratta. With decades on the road and a fiercely loyal fan base known as the Hammer Heads, Travers remains a formidable live performer.

Wednesday’s concert also includes a full opening showcase highlighting regional and emerging talent. Lo-Fi Lowdown, a Sacramento-based rock and jam-grass fusion band founded in 2021, opens the night with a distinctive sound blending bluegrass instrumentation and rock influences ranging from Billy Strings to AC/DC. The six-piece ensemble features dobro, guitar, mandolin, banjo, growling vocals and standout five-part harmonies, and has played extensively throughout Sacramento County while preparing to release its debut EP.

LoFi Lowdown

Sean Ashe

Also appearing is Sean Ashe, an instrumental guitarist and composer recognized for his melodic fusion of progressive rock and jazz. Since releasing his 2016 debut album Flux, Ashe has gained international attention for his expressive phrasing and technical precision, most recently showcased on his 2024 release Spark Under Water. As a Tom Anderson Guitarworks artist and educator, Ashe brings a refined, composition-focused approach to the stage.

A rising guitar virtuoso takes the stage Thursday

The following evening, Thursday, Jan. 29, the Boardwalk welcomes Matteo Mancuso, a guitarist whose rapid rise has made him one of the most discussed young musicians on the international stage. Born in 1996, Mancuso was introduced to music early by his father, Vincenzo, and later studied classical guitar at a musical high school, laying the technical foundation for his highly distinctive approach.

Matteo Mancuso

He first gained widespread attention as part of the trio Snips, whose virtuosic version of “The Chicken” quickly amassed millions of views online, introducing global audiences to Mancuso’s fluid fingerstyle technique and genre-defying sound. His career accelerated in 2019 through collaborations with Yamaha Guitars and appearances at major international events including the NAMM Show in Los Angeles and the Young Guitar Festival in Bangkok.

Mancuso released his first solo album, The Journey, in 2023, marking a new creative chapter defined by a polyhedric musical identity that blends jazz, rock, fusion and classical influences. Since then, he has toured extensively across Europe and the United States, earning praise from some of the most respected names in guitar music, including Steve Vai, Al di Meola, Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson. With a rapidly expanding international following and a touring schedule that now spans multiple continents, Mancuso has emerged as a defining voice among the next generation of guitarists.

Thursday’s performance also features a solo special guest appearance by Nikita Nakonechnyi, a San Diego–based jazz guitarist originally from Odesa, Ukraine. Formally trained at the R. Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy of Music, Nakonechnyi blends jazz, fusion and melodic storytelling shaped by both Eastern European roots and West Coast influences. His debut album Steps and subsequent releases highlight a refined compositional voice and expressive technique.

Nikita Nakonechnyi

Ben Sairin

Opening the night is Battle of the Bands winner Ben Sairin, whose standout performance earned him the slot through thoughtfully crafted guitar work, compelling original compositions and confident stage presence. A seasoned performer, Sairin has previously shared bills with artists such as Chris Cornell, UFO and Foreigner, and brings both experience and enthusiasm to the stage.

Both performances take place at The Boardwalk, located at 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale. Long regarded as one of the region’s most iconic live music venues, the Boardwalk is known for bringing nationally recognized artists and respected regional talent into an up-close setting that places fans directly at the heart of the live music experience.

Tickets for both shows are available through www.rocktheboardwalk.com. All ticket sales are final.

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