About

Touring guitarist and backing vocalist

Connor McDonald playing guitar alone on a circular stage under red and purple light

Connor McDonald is a guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist from Ireland, working in live and recorded music since 2000.

Touring and recording credits include James Morrison, Scouting For Girls, Murray Head, Natalie Imbruglia, Ronan Keating, Susan Boyle, George Ezra, Harriet, Alexandra Burke, Claire Richards (Steps) and Amy Studt, across albums reaching Top 5, Top 10 and Top 20.

Stage and broadcast work includes Wembley Stadium, the Royal Albert Hall, Glastonbury, Pinkpop, T in the Park, the Isle of Wight Festival, the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room, The One Show, Loose Women and Art On Ice in Switzerland.

Acoustic, electric, slide and Nashville tuning, with backing vocals. Available for tours, one-off dates, studio work and remote recording. Irish passport holder, so EU dates carry no visa or work-permit restrictions.

Connor McDonald on stage with the band at Wembley Stadium in front of a packed crowd — Wembley Stadium

The rig

Gear & endorsements

Lowden GuitarsHandmade in Ireland — Connor's main acousticslowdenguitars.com
Cornell AmplifiersHand-wired British valve ampscornellamps.com
Xotic EffectsDrive and boost pedalsxotic.us
Van AmpsSole Mate spring reverbvanamps.com

On the road

View from the stage across a huge festival crowd, black and white

Connor McDonald on stage with the band at a packed theatre under warm light

Connor McDonald silhouetted in blue stage light beneath a James Morrison backdrop

Connor McDonald playing acoustic guitar at dusk on a festival stage

Connor McDonald playing to a large festival crowd under a bright sky

Festival main stage at sunset with the crowd's hands in the air