Los Angeles Guitar Festival Riffs On

Though it was hot outside, the jams were even hotter indoors at the inaugural on Sunday. Virtuosos from Jimmie Vaughan to Dick Dale wowed the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center crowd, as a caravan of food trucks kept bellies satisfied.

Kala Koa Entertainment's Mitchell Chang organized the two-day event, which also featured Saturday sets by Tommy Emmanuel and Laurence Juber. In compiling the diverse list of talent, he explained: "It's a reflection of what I like ... a wide variety of styles—multicolored, multifaceted."

One of the multifaceted acts performing Sunday was Ben Lacy. He is a solo artist that incorporates all elements of a band onto his one electric guitar—simultaneously. Fingers flew and rhythms resonated as he ran through a score of familiar yet transformed songs, including a Michael Jackson medley and Rush's "Tom Sawyer."

Not to be outdone, surf rock legend Dick Dale tore through a cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," tongue darting as his hands slid around his Fender's neck. The audience was transfixed by the 74-year-old as he raged on, his son Jimmy keeping the trembling beat behind him on drums.

Dale's portion ran long, but he asked the fans, "If they yank me off the stage, will you riot?" They responded with cheers.

On the blues side of things, Jimmie Vaughan (brother of the late Stevie Ray) played a headlining set that lasted into the late evening. Promoting an upcoming album, he and his Tilt-a-Whirl Band cranked up the smokiness on their instruments—not unlike a Fourth of July barbecue.

Also capitalizing on the holiday was Bruce Forman. The country-bebop performer was selling a flash drive composed of his latest album and a beer-bottle opener.

"Seeming that it's 'Codependence Day' weekend, we ask that you please listen responsibly," he said.

In addition to the show inside the arts center, venders and inventors demonstrated some unique items. Tom Shaper of Cleveland, Ohio, brought his Jasperbridge percussion guitar, which looks like a giant monkey wrench and plays like a xylophone.

Shaper said that while most guitar-tech innovations make things more elaborate, the Jasperbridge is simple and fun because "it's primitive—you're hitting it with a stick." He played the contraption along to a Beatles tune, catching more than a few curious eyes and ears.

Down the way, Dan Lawson of Oxnard showed his lap steel guitars, tall pillars that depend on slides to produce their twangy sound.

The instruments, made by hand in Lawson's front yard, have garnered demand from notables.

"Jesse (Siebenberg) of Supertramp just took one of these on tour," Lawson said.

Six-string enthusiasts can likely get their fix again next year, as Chang indicated he wants to make the Los Angeles Guitar Festival an annual event.