Erik Mongrain at The Front Rooms This Wednesday

18 November 2009, The Front Rooms, tickets still available

The guitarist who pioneered the 'lap tapping' technique favoured by bands including Metallica is coming to The Front Rooms this Wednesday.

Erik Mongrain shot to fame in the 90s after laying the instrument on his lap and 'playing' it like a piano. Rather than strumming the strings like most guitarists, he struck them with both hands like piano keys. His extraordinary style became known as 'lap tapping', and won critical acclaim from fans and reviewers worldwide. The 29-year-old became an internet sensation after footage of him playing was posted on You Tube. More than four million people logged on to the video sharing site to see the Canadian in action.

Now Mongrain is heading to Cheltenham's exclusive music venue The Front Rooms as part of a UK tour. The self-taught guitarist, who lives in Montreal, said: ''I can't wait to visit Cheltenham on Wednesday and perform at The Front Rooms. ''It's a fantastic venue and I hope my performance will do it justice!''

Mongrain, who musical influences include Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana, began playing guitar at the age of 14. Having mastered traditional classical, acoustic and electric styles, he began ''experimenting''. These included the little-known 'lap tapping' technique, which sees the instrument laid flat on the musician's lap. Instead of holding a chord with one hand and strumming the strings with the other, he tapped the strings with both hands - as if it were a piano. ''The effect was spectacular,'' he said.

While the style was not strictly new, Mongrain's involvement catapulted it into the mainstream. He went on to release his first CD, 'Fates' in 2007, followed by his second, 'Equilibrium, a year later. Both went on to win international acclaim.

Mongrain will play two 40-minute sets at The Front Rooms tomorrow night, from 9pm. He will be supported by local guitarist and harpist Dale Campbell, whose own career is also flourishing.

The Front Rooms, dubbed the South West's answer to 'Ronnie Scott's', the legendary jazz club in London's Soho, opened for business last month. Since then, the exclusive 20,000sq ft venue - which boasts two stages, three bars, a VIP area and even a red carpet onto the High Street for customers - has carved a reputation for showcasing the best British talent. Next month's big acts are set to an exclusive performance by The Drifters.

For tickets, visit www.thefrontrooms.com or call 01242 571789.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.