Guitar Retreat 2026 — Homesick Mac

What Is the Retreat?

More Than Guitar Lessons.
A Community.

Since 2012, players from all walks of life have been gathering on the Island of Ven in southern Sweden for three days that feel unlike anything else in a musician's year. Mac teaches through songs — real songs with grooves and stories — not meaningless licks in isolation.

With over 85% of participants returning year after year, the Retreat has become something rare: a genuine community. People come for the guitar, but they keep coming back for each other.

All skill levels are welcome. Whether you played seriously in your youth and are returning after a long hiatus, or you've always wanted to explore the blues and other acoustic styles (including slide guitar) — you belong here.

Aerial view of the Island of Ven, Sweden

2012

First retreat

85%

Return year after year

100+

Video lessons included

2026

The 15th year

2026 Dates

Choose Your Week

July 2026

17–19

Friday to Sunday

Weekend session — ideal if you can't take time off midweek

July 2026

20–22

Monday to Wednesday

Weekday session — a quieter island, a more relaxed pace

Prices and full programme details available on application. Express your interest with no commitment →

Est. 2012

Fifteen Years of the Same Question

It started with a small group on a Swedish island. The idea was simple: gather guitar players, teach through real songs, and see what happens. What happened was people didn't want to leave.

Fifteen retreats later, the question Mac hears most hasn't changed: "När du vill hitta tillbaka till din gitarr, men ej stå på scen." "When you want to find your way back to your guitar — but not stand on stage."
— Tommie Magnusson, participant 2021

A Letter from Peter Dahlgren · 2022

"Your fine pedagogy as well as a particular generosity of spirit solidified my decision. You are always encouraging, emphasizing the positive, while always being clear about how to go about playing whatever music is at hand."

"My take-aways are usually not whole songs, but ideas, concepts, riffs that I can apply to my own tunes — and that help me connect the dots musically. Plus I also take home a renewed sense of the possible. Inspiration."

"The small scale of the operation, and by extension the ease of bonding with others, was also very attractive — not least I met a group of fellow players there, and our Friday sessions have become an important part of my life."

"Over my long life I have started — and given up — learning guitar several times. I'm pretty certain that had we not met, I wouldn't still be at it. Not that the world would suffer much from my not playing, but I sure would: it's just such an amazing pleasure; it would have been a real loss."

— Peter Dahlgren, Guitar Retreat 2022

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What the Retreat Creates

A Friday Jam That Refuses to Stop

Two participants who came to the Retreat together had already been meeting on Fridays to play guitar together. During a Retreat, they mentioned their weekly sessions to a fellow participant Arne, who had just moved to that area and didn't know anybody he could maybe play with. They invited him to join, and he did.

The year after, a participant named Peter joined. Then Håkan. Then, through a later retreat, a participant Gert found his way into the group. Most recently, a participant Olle joined after moving back to the area.

They now have what they call a "hiring freeze" — when everyone shows up at once, there's barely room to fit all the guitars in.

The group has been meeting every Friday for over 10 years. They play by the same principles Mac teaches at the Retreat: keep the volume considerate, encourage each other to play solid backup or a solo, choose songs that work for everyone.

A community that Retreat inspired, and there are no signs anybody's quitting anytime soon.

The Experience

What Happens on Ven

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Song-Based Tuition

Mac teaches through complete songs and real grooves. Every lick has a context. Every lesson builds something you can take home and actually play.

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Jam Sessions

Evening jams where the music never stops. Porch playing, group sessions, spontaneous collaborations. The magic that happens between lessons is half the retreat.

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Life on Ven Island

Backafallsbyn — a beautiful venue in an extraordinary setting. Leave the mainland and most of your worries behind. Three days that reset something important.

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Lifetime Video Library

Every participant gets permanent access to Mac's Retreat Video Portal — over 100 detailed instructional videos, song sheets and backing tracks to keep the progress alive at home.

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Ergonomics & Posture

Mac is a trained physiotherapist who gives hands-on guidance on posture, warm-up routines and body mechanics — protecting your playing for years to come.

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All Levels Welcome

Three chords or thirty years behind you — it doesn't matter. Mac adapts to everyone. The group spans complete beginners to experienced players, and it works beautifully.