The 2026 version of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Pageant is ready to land in Texas this weekend (26-27 September), and can see a hand-picked number of six-string royalty from throughout blues, rock, nation and past converge upon Austin’s Moody Heart for a sequence of electrifying performances.

This yr marks the occasion’s seventh version, and celebrates the twenty eighth anniversary of the Crossroads Centre Antigua, a remedy and training facility which helps people affected by alcohol and substance dependency.

However other than the apparent attract of performances by Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Man, Gary Clark Jr., Billy Gibbons, Marcus King, Keb’ Mo’ and Sierra Hull, Gibson may even be on the bottom in Texas, providing punters hands-on entry to guitars, in addition to “unique product experiences, picture alternatives and extra”.

And of those guitars which attendees may have entry to, is a brand new Epiphone Impressed by Gibson Eric Clapton signature ES-335, primarily based on the guitar legend’s unique 1964 Gibson ES-335 – the identical one he performed throughout Cream’s farewell present on the Royal Albert Corridor in November 1968.

Oh, and the unique may even be on show on the pageant, however far out of the attain of rabid Clapton followers, little doubt.

The Epiphone Impressed by Gibson Customized Eric Clapton 1964 ES-335 TDC Reissue (little bit of a mouthful) can be launched in summer season 2027, so there’s a little bit of a wait to get one in every of your personal. However should you’re inside attain of Austin, Texas this weekend, you possibly can head all the way down to the Moody Heart and take the brand new mannequin for a spin.

Additionally, attendees may have the prospect to enter a contest to win one of many new Epiphone Eric Clapton signature guitars, too.

The guitar is only one of over 30 Gibson and Epiphone guitars and Mesa Boogie amplifiers that’ll be out there to play on the Crossroads Gibson sales space, the place there’ll even be the well-known Gibson guitar throne, a customized constructed set up made out of 100 actual electrical guitar our bodies and necks – assume the Recreation of Thrones one however for guitars. Attendees will be capable to take their picture atop the throne for an opportunity to be featured on Gibson’s social media channels.

Elsewhere, Guitar Heart will return because the unique retail accomplice of the 2026 Crossroads Pageant, and has unveiled a set of restricted guitars in celebration, together with an unique Silver Sky and a recreation of Eric Clapton’s Blind Religion Telecaster.

Study extra concerning the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Pageant.

Sam is the Affiliate Information Editor for Guitar.com and MusicTech. Totally immersed in music tradition for almost all of his life, Sam has performed guitar for 20 years, studied music know-how and manufacturing at college, and in addition written for the likes of Guitar World, Whole Guitar, Steel Hammer and MusicRadar.