‘An enchanting evening of songs, monologues, and jokes… When blessed with the charm and personality of Matthew, one can get away with most things, which included faux insulting the MC and his musical partner within the first five minutes… Matthew’s finest attribute as a performer is his ability to effortlessly win over an audience.’ Hector Gilchrist of efestivals.co.uk reviewing me and Mike Hebbert at Sidmouth Folk Festival 2017.
Have a Banana! New for 2022 – a workshop to explore singalong. This is serious stuff, about fun stuff. Have a Banana! asks why people love singing informally together, which songs work best – and what is it about bananas?
Mostly, though, it’s an excuse for lots of singalong. And being an ‘academic’ exercise, the more you sing – the more you learn.
I’ve carved a silly and sometime saucy niche, performing songs from variety and the music hall. Lots of singalong, bad jokes, parodies, smut, melancholy … and more singalong.
That’s the formula. Sometimes I perform solo, sometimes with concertina maestro Michael Hebbert. Past co-conspirators include Jan North, Dan Quinn, Dorian Ford and David Eagle.
Have a listen to highlights of my show at Sharps Folk Club with the late, great Jan North. And listen to me here on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, talking about drinking songs (2.52), and singing New York Gals (4.42) and Oom Pah Pah (26.25) with accompaniment by Michael Hebbert.
I also work with maturer folk and in care homes. See Singing for Seniors.